The History of Games of Chance In India

 

Gambling in India dates back further than most can imagine, and it has come a long way. From its early origins of chess games with dice to a naive prince losing everything, regulations would eventually come into play. However, a sportsbook loophole, smartphones, blockchains, and the cryptocurrency explosion prove India’s online gambling industry will continue to thrive for some time.

7300 BC – 300 BC: Ancient India and The Exiled Prince

Early gambling, based on the Indian books Ramayana, a Sanskrit epic, and the Mahabharata, state that gambling may have started in 7300 BC despite an initial reference date of 430 BC.

Ramayana describes early board games where ancient Indians played chess with dice, and later dice were replaced with astragali for the game Passa.

 The Prince Who Lost His Shirt and the First Sports Betting Action

Another story depicts wary Prince Yudhishthira Paandava. Swindled out of his wealth and position, he ended up in exile, and his family ended up in servitude.

Ancient Buddhist texts describe Indians gambling with nuts from the Vibhitaka tree in 300 BC, and it is possible that betting on animals in sports (ram fights, cock fights, horse racing) was popular.

India has gambling boards referred to as Aksa or devana, and gamblers would say, “I lost my shirt” in the early casinos. The saying compared defeated gamblers to trees stripped of their fruit.

1500-1800: Historical Conflicts, Gambling Taxes, and Early Regulations

Early texts falsely state that Europeans introduced gambling to India from parts of Europe. However, that is false. Indians would set up systems to ensure fair play and opened casino gambling houses in the 15th Century. At the time, the revenue went to the government. Player winnings were taxed, and these early casinos were subject to regulations.

The Brits and Cricket Matches

By the 18th Century, Cricket was in high demand thanks to the Brits. Reports suggest that the English played Cricket on Indian soil in the 1700s, with the earliest matches between Calcutta and Madras in 1864. Some records even state that by the 18th Century, Brits brought horses to India and introduced horse racing.

With the Cricket craze spreading across India and out of control, wagering in gambling houses became illegal in 1867 with the Public Gambling Act. After which, changes occurred where Paplu or Indian Rummy later became legal. And yet, gambling in India is still illegal.

21st Century: Unregulated Gambling and Cryptocurrencies

By the 21st Century, matka started in Mumbai. Bookkeepers took bets on opening and closing rates for the NYCE or New York Cotton Exchange, with regulations in Sewree by the Bombay Cotton Exchange.

Gambling is Still Allowed, No Sports Betting Loophole, and Smartphones

While most see gambling as a sin and illegal now, 29 Indian states and the 7 unions give discretion to the respective states. Most states in India see gambling as taboo, but they allow bets on horse riding.

The Public Gambling Act still exists, and it is illegal to run gambling houses and for players to frequent them. However, in states like Maharashtra, Sikkim, and Goa, gambling is still allowed, but cricket is still not legal for placing bets. In 2016 the Supreme Court discussed how to curtail online gambling slots and other games. In 2018, they established The Law Commission of India, citing it is impossible to stop bets, but they can successfully regulate them.

Only minimal changes in India’s betting industry occurred after 1867’s Gambling Act, with no new laws for or against gambling. One concern is the Gambling Act does not include sports betting or regulations about offshore sportsbooks and casinos. Hence, some Indian gamblers and casino operators exploit this loophole.

The other attractive feature is with tech advances in smartphones, a lot more Indians are now able to gamble and go, and this was apparent during the Covid lockdowns. Players enjoyed casino sites and eSports games. Hence, Indian gamblers can access all kinds of casino betting action, and when they make real money wagers online, it is unregulated.

 Not Enough Knowledge About Cryptocurrency Volatility

With the dangers of gambling with cryptocurrencies, Indians are lured into crypto-casinos and may not be aware of the price volatility risks. While research about blockchains is positive as it helps to create a secure chain for contract transparency and secure data access, the same is not true about cryptos.

Research from the University of Bristol and the University of East London are pushing for reform in an industry that lacks regulation, has a record high amount of fraud, and other dangers. Current estimates show 780 casinos, poker rooms, sportsbooks, and bingo sites that accept the digital currency. And with 24/7 gambling and no regulation, the risks for underage gamblers are troubling.

Given that cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin have fallen by over 50% six times in the past six years, there are huge fluctuations. Additionally, about 70% of the sites do not have age-filtering software, and 37.5% of these casino sites do not have gambling support tools for players.

While social media attracts players to crypto casinos, casino operators also heavily promote Cricket matches and local games in their online lobbies. Examples include a popular South Asian card game called Teen Patti. On other sites, Indians play paddy power. These are virtual games like roulette or slots, and they can live-stream blackjack.

FAQ

 What is the most popular casino game in India?

Most players like Texas Hold’em and Poker. Other top games to bet on include cricket.

How long has gambling been available in India?

The Ramayana has writings that confirm gambling dates back to 7300 BC when players bet on board games like chess with dice.

Are cryptocurrencies allowed in India?

Yes. There are about 780 different gambling houses accepting cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin.

 Gambling in India Today

Over the years, some states banned all gambling and real money games, which started debates with government officials. Thoughts are that gambling regulation may come to India soon. In 2022, a bill review helped provide policies for gambling and regulate businesses that work as casino operators.

 

With technological advances emerging daily and internet penetration, gamblers will have new gaming opportunities online, and gambling in India will continue to gain in popularity.