Best Online Poker Sites for India Players 2025

In August 2025, the Indian Government prohibited internet real money games, including poker and rummy, with the Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Act. Gambling websites like PokerBaazi, Adda52, Spartan Poker, etc., will virtually have to shut their shop as the law prohibits the promotion, advertising, and facilitation of real-money gaming. This reshapes the online poker landscape nationwide.

The law may have been technically passed, but it has yet to come into force. It is currently waiting on a government notification before this happens. Most major local sites have disabled deposits and real money modes with only some sites allowing players to withdraw existing funds.

The law has prompted several legal challenges. A large online gaming platform called A23 has sued the authorities claiming the law illegitimately criminalizes the games of skill. Other companies like Dream11 have signaled similar intent.

Over 200,000 job losses, shutdown of 400 gaming companies and more than $2.3 billion in foreign investment and tax revenue at stake, the impact is huge. In some states such as Tamil Nadu, even stricter local measures — including biometric ID checks and play limits — have been introduced with the help of local courts.

That said, legal interpretation is still evolving. India's Supreme Court has recently declared poker and rummy as games of skill and not gambling. Therefore, this gives some clarity to the potential carve-outs or regulatory exceptions. So if you're wondering, is poker legal in India? — the answer still depends on how each case is interpreted.

How These Poker Sites Work in India

India permits most offshore poker rooms, as long as they do not advertise to Indian players or have local servers. Platforms that use crypto or e-wallet infrastructure for Indians work on foreign gaming licenses, and vice-versa. These options are among the best poker websites used offshore for India players.

  • CoinPoker is fully decentralized, no ID needed & the entire operation is in crypto.
  • 1win Poker allows Indian players to play with Indian rupees through UPI, Paytm, and other local payment methods.
  • TigerGaming and RedStar Poker accept cryptocurrency and e-wallets but may ask to undergo KYC procedure for withdrawals.

Indians can still access all of these poker sites without a VPN, and they continue to function for real money games. In general, with regulation still evolving, these poker sites are a popular solution.

At the moment, offshore poker rooms do not have any legal protection, however, many India players still play poker on their websites. Future development of the law may re-open the domestic market for poker platforms. This might happen with new guidelines or state exemptions. If you’re asking how to play online poker in India, offshore sites are likely going to be the most practical solution when it comes to online poker in 2025.

Poker Site Overviews for India Players

CoinPoker

CoinPoker is a blockchain-based gaming site that uses USDT in-game and has a 150% bonus up to $2,000 for new players. You can use Binance Smart Chain without KYC and regional restrictions. All transactions are in crypto and processed under an hour rate. Traffic on the tables is moderate, albeit more active than major EU networks.

Best for: Privacy-first India players using crypto wallets and looking for total anonymity

1win Poker

A one-stop gambling site with sportsbook, casino and poker. It accepts local payment methods such as UPI, Paytm, and PhonePe, besides cards and crypto. The poker section includes SNGs, MTTs, and soft cash games. The interface is clean and mobile-friendly — arguably the best poker app for India players right now.

Best for: Casual players who want to play poker on mobile with local deposit options

TigerGaming

Part of the Chico Network, TigerGaming has good traffic, especially at the micro and low limit levels. Indian users can sign up and use crypto and card deposits. Offers a 100% deposit bonus up to $1,000. KYC required before first withdrawal.

Best for: Players who want global liquidity and steady MTT schedules

RedStar Poker

Euro-based room on the iPoker network. Accessible from India with minimal restrictions. You can deposit or withdraw using crypto or third-party wallets in INR. The number of players in the pool has decreased, although the games are still soft, especially during the European off-peak hours. Frequent freerolls and regular reload promos.

Best for: Low-stakes grinders and bonus hunters