• September 11, 2026

Is 1xBet Legal to Use in India?

No. 1xBet is not legally authorised to operate in India.

Following the introduction of the Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Act 2025 on 1 May 2026, online real-money betting and casino services face a nationwide prohibition, and 1xBet does not hold an Indian licence. The restrictions primarily apply to operators, advertisers, and payment service providers rather than directly to individual users. This distinction is important when assessing 1xBet’s legal status in India.

❗ The Answer

• 1xBet is not legally authorised to operate, advertise, or facilitate betting in India under the Online Gaming Act 2025.
• 1xBet holds a Curaçao licence, but this does not constitute an Indian gaming licence or provide legal authorisation to operate in India.
• Access to the platform may be restricted or blocked, and payment providers may prevent transactions associated with the service.
• While an individual placing a bet may not face criminal prosecution solely for doing so under the Act, users may have limited legal protection or recourse if funds are lost, withheld, or disputed.

Current Legal Status of 1xBet in India

For much of the past decade, 1xBet operated in a legal grey area in India. There was no single nationwide law specifically governing online betting, while gambling remained primarily a matter for individual states. The Public Gambling Act of 1867 also predated the internet and did not specifically address online gambling. This regulatory gap allowed offshore betting platforms to accept Indian users.

That situation changed on 1 May 2026, when the Online Gaming Act 2025 came into effect. The legislation prohibits online money games across India, covering online games in which players pay a fee or stake with the expectation of receiving winnings.

Offshore sports betting and online casino services fall within this definition. Since 1xBet offers real-money betting and does not hold an Indian gaming licence, its services are not authorised for operation in India. This establishes the current legal position of 1xBet, while the sections below explain what the rules mean for users, payments, advertising, and access to the platform.

What the Online Gaming Act 2025 Changed

The Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Act, 2025 received Presidential assent on 22 August 2025. The rules were notified on 22 April 2026, and the new framework became enforceable from 1 May 2026. These changes have significant implications for platforms such as 1xBet.

First, the Act establishes three broad categories of online games. E-sports and online social games are recognised and encouraged, while online money games involving real-money stakes and the expectation of financial winnings are prohibited. The restrictions also cover the advertising, promotion, facilitation, and financial processing of such games.

Second, the Act moves away from the traditional skill-versus-chance distinction when regulating online money games. Under the previous framework, certain games considered predominantly skill-based, such as rummy or fantasy sports, could receive different treatment under state gambling laws. Under the new framework, an online game involving a monetary stake and the expectation of financial gain can fall within the prohibition regardless of whether its outcome depends on skill, chance, or a combination of both.

Why 1xBet Is Banned in India

1xBet is operated by 1x Corp N.V., a company registered in Curaçao and licensed under the Curaçao gaming framework. However, holding a foreign gaming licence does not automatically give an operator the legal right to offer real-money betting services in India. 1xBet does not hold an Indian gaming licence or authorisation, and under the Online Gaming Act 2025, offshore operators cannot obtain authorisation to offer prohibited online money games to users in India. As a result, 1xBet falls within the scope of the restrictions applicable to unauthorised online money gaming services.

Indian authorities have also taken action against numerous illegal betting and gambling platforms by restricting access to websites and related domains. Where 1xBet domains are subject to such blocking measures, users may find the platform inaccessible through Indian internet services.

In simple terms, a gaming licence issued in Curaçao does not by itself provide legal authorisation to accept real-money bets from users in India.

Can You Be Arrested for Using 1xBet in India?

This is an area where many articles can create confusion, so it is important to be precise. The Act’s criminal penalties primarily focus on the supply side of online money gaming. They target operators that offer prohibited online money games, individuals and businesses involved in advertising or promoting them, and financial institutions or payment services that facilitate

related transactions. Simply opening the platform and placing a bet is not specifically identified as an offence under these provisions.

Therefore, the more accurate answer is that an ordinary bettor is not the primary target of the Act’s criminal provisions. However, this does not mean that using an offshore betting platform is risk-free. Users may face blocked access, payment restrictions, frozen funds, or difficulties recovering money from an unauthorised operator.

If a dispute arises over a deposit, withdrawal, or winnings, an Indian user may also have limited legal or consumer protection against an offshore platform that is not authorised to operate in India. In short, the absence of a specific criminal penalty for bettors should not be interpreted as legal approval or protection for using 1xBet.

The Law Is Being Actively Enforced

Some readers may assume that betting restrictions exist only on paper and are rarely enforced. However, actions involving 1xBet indicate that Indian authorities have taken concrete enforcement measures. In March 2026, the Enforcement Directorate reportedly attached assets worth approximately ₹18.10 crore as part of a money-laundering investigation linked to the platform. The investigation reportedly identified a collection network that routed player funds through dynamically generated UPI IDs and mule bank accounts.

Authorities have also investigated individuals accused of promoting or endorsing betting platforms. Reports have linked former cricketers Suresh Raina and Shikhar Dhawan to enforcement proceedings concerning their alleged association with 1xBet promotions. These developments highlight the increasing regulatory scrutiny surrounding the advertising and promotion of online betting services in India.

The key takeaway is that enforcement is not merely theoretical. Operators, payment networks, advertisers, and promoters can face regulatory or legal action when they facilitate prohibited betting activities. This is also why responsible informational content should avoid directing readers to unauthorised betting platforms.

Why 1xBet Still Opens on Your Phone

A blocked website is not necessarily a permanently deleted website. Platforms such as 1xBet may continue to appear online through new mirror domains, and some users may attempt to access them using a VPN.

It is important to understand that using a VPN is not, by itself, illegal in India. However, a VPN only changes how your internet connection is routed; it does not make a prohibited betting activity legal. If the underlying betting service is restricted under Indian law, accessing it through a VPN does not change its legal status.

Using such workarounds may also introduce additional risks, particularly when users share personal information or make financial transactions through unauthorised platforms. Indian

authorities have also taken measures aimed at restricting access to illegal betting and gambling services.

In short, being able to access 1xBet does not mean that the platform or the betting activity is legally authorised in India.

What Happens to Your Deposited Money?

The ban can make deposits and withdrawals more difficult. Transactions linked to prohibited online money games may be blocked or declined, and recovering funds from an unauthorised offshore platform can be challenging.

Any money deposited with 1xBet carries a risk of being lost or difficult to recover.

Is 1xBet Legal in Any Indian State?

No. Older guides may suggest that online betting laws vary from state to state, but the legal framework has changed. The Online Gaming Act 2025 introduced nationwide restrictions on prohibited online money games, meaning 1xBet cannot rely on state-level differences to operate legally in India.

Therefore, any outdated list claiming that 1xBet is legally available in specific Indian states should be treated with caution.

What Is Legal in India Instead?

The Act does not prohibit online gaming altogether; it restricts online money games. Free-to-play social and casual games remain permitted, while e-sports is recognised as a legitimate competitive activity. State-authorised lotteries also continue where permitted under applicable laws.

In simple terms, playing games online remains legal, but staking money on prohibited online games is restricted under the new framework.

Might This Change?

The ban is being challenged in court, but as of September 2026, it remains in force. Until the Supreme Court rules otherwise, 1xBet remains prohibited in India. We will update this information if the legal position changes.

The Key Takeaway

1xBet is not legally authorised in India. The operator, anyone promoting it and any payment provider supporting it may face legal penalties. The individual bettor is not the primary target of those penalties, but uses a restricted, blocked platform with funds that Indian law may not help recover. The practical conclusion is straightforward: there is little to gain here that justifies what you could potentially lose. The same national restrictions now apply to

offshore operators, so the position remains the same whether you are asking about this platform or checking whether a casino such as Casino Days is legal in India. If you gamble, do so only where it is permitted and always set firm limits.

18+ only. Gambling involves financial risk and can become addictive. If gambling stops being enjoyable, consider seeking support through responsible gambling helplines and organisations that provide gambling-related assistance.

 

FAQ

1. Is 1xBet Banned in India?

Yes. 1xBet is prohibited in India under the Online Gaming Act 2025, which came into effect on 1 May 2026 and restricts online real-money betting and casino activities nationwide. The platform is blocked and does not hold an Indian licence.

2. Can I Be Arrested for Using 1xBet in India?

The Act focuses its criminal penalties on operators, advertisers and payment providers rather than individual bettors. A player is not specifically identified as an offender. However, this does not provide legal protection, as the platform is unauthorised and Indian law may offer limited recourse if funds are lost or withheld.

3. Is 1xBet Blocked in India?

Yes. Indian authorities have blocked 1xBet and related mirror domains created to bypass access restrictions. While the platform may sometimes remain accessible through a VPN or new mirror domain, being able to access the site does not make online betting legal.

4. Can I Withdraw My Money From 1xBet in India?

It is becoming increasingly difficult. The law restricts banks and UPI services from processing 1xBet transactions, meaning withdrawals may be delayed or rejected. Since the platform is unauthorised, there may be no Indian court or ombudsman available to assist if your balance is frozen.

5. Is 1xBet Legal in Any Indian State?

No. The Online Gaming Act 2025 establishes a nationwide legal framework, replacing the earlier state-by-state approach. There is no Indian state where 1xBet is legally authorised to operate under an Indian licence.

6. Does Using a VPN Make 1xBet Legal?

No. Using a VPN is not illegal in India, but it only conceals your connection. The underlying real-money betting through a prohibited platform remains restricted, while routing funds and personal information through a workaround can create additional risks.

7. What Is the Penalty for Online Betting in India?

Under the 2025 Act, operating an online money game can result in up to three years’ imprisonment and fines of up to ₹1 crore, increasing to five years and ₹2 crore for repeat offences. Advertising such games can attract up to two years, while processing related payments can carry up to three years. Individual players are not assigned a specific penalty.