What’s Allowed in 2025?
On this site, you will find information about legal online games and entertainment options available to residents of Puri, located in the state of Odisha, India.
In 2025 these offerings are governed by a combination of national legislation and state-specific regulations. The selection includes real-money games, casual gaming, and other forms of online entertainment that are either explicitly permitted by law or operate in legally ambiguous areas but remain widely accessible to users in Puri.
Skill-Based Games
Online Games of Skill are legal in Most of India, Including Odisha.
Fantasy Sports
Fantasy sports are legal in most Indian states and recognized as games of skill by multiple High Courts and the Supreme Court.
Popular platforms include Dream11, MPL Fantasy, My11Circle, Gamezy and others
As of 2025, these are subject to 28% GST on the total contest entry amount.
Other Skill Games like Chess, Quiz Games, Trivia Contests
Chess, carrom, and quiz games with real-money entry or prizes are legal too as they are skill-based. This includes eSports competitions, mobile gaming tournaments and so on.
Examples: Apps like Zupee, WinZO, and Pocket52.
Online Card Games (Rummy)
A skill-based variant of rummy is legal as it’s predominantly based on skill. The same for online poker (skill-based formats).
Legal Casual and Free-to-Play Games
Free-to-Play Games (non-gambling) are fully legal and widely used for fun.
For example:
- PUBG Mobile, Free Fire, Call of Duty Mobile
- Ludo King, Carrom Pool, and other local multiplayer games
- Online Bingo (non-cash, social play formats like Bingo Bash)
- Google Play and iOS games that are free or ad-supported and other mobile games (non-gambling)
- Board game apps (Chess.com, Scrabble GO, Monopoly)
- PC and console gaming, educational games
Games in Legal Grey Area (Check Local Updates)
Online Poker
Online Poker is considered a skill game in some states, unclear in others. Legal in Odisha? Not officially banned, but not state-regulated either.
Platforms for example: PokerBaazi, Adda52, Spartan Poker
Online Lotteries
Odisha does not run its own lottery. But participating in lottery activities is not considered illegal under state law. So you can legally play lotteries from other states (like Nagaland, Sikkim, Kerala) via authorized retailers (if available) and Online platforms (Lotto Agent, LottoSmile, TheLotter). International lotteries are accessible online, but operate in a legal grey area.
Online Entertainment Platforms
Streaming and Digital Entertainment are fully legal. Examples:
- OTT platforms (Netflix, Amazon Prime, Disney+ Hotstar, Zee5, etc.)
- Music streaming services (Spotify, JioSaavn, Gaana)
- YouTube and other video platforms, short videos like YouTube Shorts, Instagram Reels, Moj, Josh.
Games Considered Illegal or Banned
Games of Chance (without state license)
The Odisha Prevention of Gambling Act, 1955, prohibits various forms of gambling like betting, casino games (roulette, blackjack), and virtual slot machines. So, games of Chance are illegal in Odisha unless operated by a state-licensed lottery or platform.
Important Legal Considerations
What’s Legal vs. Illegal
Games of skill are excluded under most State Gaming Laws, while chance-based games often fall within gambling regulations. To the extent that games are based predominantly on skill, they are legal.
Regulatory Notes
Odisha doesn’t have specific online gaming licensing requirements like Nagaland or Sikkim. Only a few states regulate online gaming with specific licensing requirements. Players should stick to platforms that clearly operate skill-based games rather than chance-based gambling.
Safety Reminder Recent reports from Odisha highlight concerning trends of gaming addiction, so residents should engage responsibly with any online gaming platforms and be aware of spending limits and time management.
| Type of Entertainment | Legal in Puri (Odisha)? | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Fantasy Sports | ✅ Legal | Games of skill |
| Online Rummy | ✅ Legal | Backed by court rulings |
| Casual & Free Games | ✅ Legal | No gambling involved |
| OTT & Music Platforms | ✅ Legal | Widely used in India |
| Government Lotteries (Other States) | ✅ Yes | Via agents or apps |
| Online Poker | ⚠️ Grey Area | No specific state regulation |
| International Lotteries | ⚠️ Grey Area | Use trusted platforms |
| Online Casino Games | ❌ Illegal | Prohibited under Indian law |
The key distinction in Indian law is between games of skill (legal) and games of chance (often restricted), people in Puri can legally participate in skill-based online gaming and standard digital entertainment platforms.
FAQs
Yes, but with limitations. Odisha does not run its own state lottery, but it has not banned lotteries from other states. You may play state-run legally-operating lotteries from other states (like Sikkim or Nagaland) and through authorized online platforms such as: Lotto Agent, TheLotter, LottoSmile India. Always make sure to purchase from licensed sellers or verified online sites to avoid scams.
Yes. RummyCircle, and other platforms offering online rummy, are considered legal in Odisha. The Supreme Court of India has ruled that rummy is a game of skill, not chance.
Most popular fantasy apps are legal, including: Dream11, My11Circle, MPL Fantasy, Gamezy, Vision11. Fantasy sports have been ruled as games of skill by Indian courts, so they are legal in Odisha, where there is no explicit ban.
Real-money betting apps (like sports betting or casino-style apps) are not legal in Odisha. Odisha does not regulate betting. You may come across international apps offering access from India, but these are not legally protected in Odisha.
Yes, but only for skill-based games. MPL (Mobile Premier League) offers both fantasy cricket and skill games (like chess, quiz, carrom), which are legal. You can use MPL in Odisha only for these games of skill. Avoid MPL’s real-money games of chance or betting-like features if offered.
Yes, playing the lottery is legal in Puri, Odisha, but with certain limitations.
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