Is fantasy cricket legal in India?
The short answer is yes, with state-by-state variation. The longer answer is that paid fantasy cricket has been repeatedly held by Indian courts to be a game of skill, but six states currently restrict or prohibit paid entry under their respective public gambling acts.
The legal framework
The Public Gambling Act 1867 is the central legislation that prohibits gambling in India, but it explicitly exempts games of skill. The Supreme Court and several High Courts have held that fantasy cricket, when played with sporting knowledge, is a game of skill and therefore falls outside the prohibition.
State-level public gambling acts may add further restrictions. Six states currently restrict or prohibit paid fantasy contests: Andhra Pradesh, Assam, Odisha, Telangana, Tamil Nadu and Sikkim. Other states allow paid play subject to age verification, KYC and platform-level compliance.
State-by-state status
The Fantafeat editorial desk maintains a state-by-state reference. Below is the most recent status we have verified. Always cross-check with the platform's official state list before adding payment details.
Allowed: most Indian states, including Maharashtra, Karnataka, Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Haryana, Kerala, Punjab and Bihar. Some states require age verification and platform-level compliance.
Restricted or prohibited: Andhra Pradesh, Assam, Odisha, Telangana, Tamil Nadu, Sikkim. Users in these states cannot enter paid contests on most platforms. They can read the editorial reference but should not attempt to circumvent state restrictions.
Age requirement
Every fantasy platform in India requires users to be 18 or older. The age check happens at sign-up via date of birth entered by the user; platforms do not typically run ID-based age verification at sign-up, but withdrawals require PAN which carries the user's date of birth.
KYC and taxation
Winnings above ₹10,000 in a single contest are subject to TDS (tax deducted at source) at 30 percent. The platform deducts the tax automatically before crediting winnings to your wallet. Winnings above ₹1,00,000 in a year must be declared as income in your tax return.
Frequently asked questions
Is fantasy cricket legal in Maharashtra?
Yes. Paid fantasy cricket is legal in Maharashtra subject to age and KYC verification.
Is fantasy cricket legal in Tamil Nadu?
No. The Tamil Nadu Gaming Act 2022 prohibits paid online fantasy contests. Users in Tamil Nadu cannot enter paid contests on the major platforms.
Can I play from Andhra Pradesh?
No. The Andhra Pradesh Gaming Act prohibits paid online fantasy contests. Users in Andhra Pradesh cannot enter paid contests on the major platforms.
How is fantasy cricket treated for income tax?
Winnings above ₹10,000 per contest are subject to 30 percent TDS. Winnings above ₹1,00,000 per year must be declared as "Income from other sources" in your tax return.