Is Stake.com Legal in India 2025? - Update for Indian Players

Is Stake.com legal in India? If you’re considering participating in online casinos or betting with cryptocurrencies, that question likely occurred to you. The response is not straightforward since India does not offer a one-size-fits-all solution.

Some users can navigate to Stake.com without any problems. Others may get blocked or encounter restrictions based on their location. This is because Indian gambling regulations are state-specific. In this article, we will simplify everything for you. We will explore where Stake is prohibited, where it is accessible, how users are engaging with the platform, and the important details every potential sign up should know.

Is Stake.com Banned in India?

No, as of now, Stake.com does not have a ban on its services in India. Most users from different states can access the website legally. The platform operates from a foreign country and has a remote gambling license from Curaçao. It does not operate out of India, so is not bound by Indian licensing regulations, but that does not mean it is banned either.

Currently there is no central governing law in India that forbids the use of services like Stake. Provided you are over the age of 18, and not residing in a state that prohibits online gambling, you are free to use the platform without infringing on any laws.

But there’s a catch. Telangana and Andhra Pradesh, for example, have prohibited all types of online gambling. Stake.com is not accessible there.

So overall:

• Stake is not banned in India
• It’s only restricted in certain states
• It's based offshore, so Indian gambling regulations are not fully applicable.

Indian Laws on Gambling - Explained

India does not have a single comprehensive regulation regarding internet-based gambling. The existing laws are no longer used and were formulated long before the advent of websites and cryptocurrencies, resulting in a convoluted legal landscape.

India’s most prominent piece of legislation - the Public Gambling Act of 1867 - prohibits physical betting shops but remains silent on online wagering. Given the absence of the internet during its enactment, the ban would not apply to platforms like Stake.com.

There exists also the Information Technology Act of 2000; however, like the former, it does not address gambling websites or applications directly. This is one of the reasons why many online casinos based outside of India are largely unregulated. Here's the key point: in India gambling is a state subject. Every state makes its own rules. Some states prohibit online wagering, while others either don’t care or have no rules on the matter. This is why Stake.com operates in some parts of the country and not others. So when it comes to playing on Stake.com, what matters the most is the state you reside in, not the country as a whole.

Which Indian States Permit Access to Stake.com?

In most regions of India, you can access Stake.com without any hurdles. There are no laws preventing it, and ISPs have not blocked access to the site.

This is true for some users in the following states:

Goa – This state permits land-based casinos. They do not block international gambling sites like Stake.

Sikkim – This is one of the few states that attempted to enforce online gambling regulations. Stake.com is accessible here.

Maharashtra – There is no restriction on foreign wagering websites. Users can access Stake without the need for a VPN.

Delhi – There are no tough regulations on online betting. Stake.com operates seamlessly in most areas.

Punjab – No known laws forbidding foreign gambling websites.

Haryana – No awareness of restrictions regarding Stake and other similar platforms.

West Bengal – Permits certain games of skill to be played over the internet. Does not block access to Stake.

Which States Have Banned Stake.com or Online Gambling?

Despite some states allowing the use of Stake.com, others have opted to ban online gambling entirely. If you happen to reside in these states, using Stake might land you in some legal trouble.

These are the states where gambling is prohibited, including Stake:

Telangana: One of the most stringent states in India. It completely restricts online gambling in all its forms such as casino games and sports betting.

Andhra Pradesh: Just like Telangana, this state also passed a law restricting online gambling in all its forms. Stake.com is also banned in this state.

These states are in a process of evolving regulations:

Tamil Nadu: Attempted to outlaw online gambling, but the High Court invalidated the law. No clear restriction currently exists.

Karnataka: Similar to the previous state, a law was enacted, but was shortly after invalidated.

Kerala and Assam: Both have harsh restrictions related to gambling and might not be safe for online gambling, but there is no explicit mention of Stake.com being banned.

Can You Play on Stake.com in India Lawfully?

The issue of Stake.com’s wagering services in India is complicated. While there is no specific legislation concerning online gambling on offshore sites like Stake.com, the situation is different from state to state. In the absence of any specific laws dealing with online gambling in most states, residents of such states can access Stake.com freely without any legal issues. However, some other states have laws dealing with online gambling which make it illegal to access Stake.com from within these jurisdictions. So whether you can legally play on Stake.com in India is screenshot largely dependent on the state you are residing in.

How Indians Use Stake.com Despite Regional Restrictions

Despite Stake.com not having a formal license in India, people continue to use it, even in areas where access to the site is restricted.

Here’s how they manage it:

1. Mirror Sites

Stake has additional domains like stake.bet or stake.games. These domains are exact copies of the primary site. If the main domain is blocked by your ISP, the mirror domain tends to still function.

2. VPN (Virtual Private Network)

In India, numerous internet users access Stake with the help of a VPN. Virtual Private Networks conceals your true geographical location and permits access to the internet as if you’re located in a different country. Therefore, if Stake.com is restricted in your region, a VPN may allow you to access the site and participate in online gaming.

However, this has several associated risks:

• Your account may be suspended if Stake identifies VPN usage.
• There is a possibility of withdrawals being delayed or denied.
• Legally, one would not be protected if online gambling is outlawed in your region even while using a VPN.

3. Mobile Applications or APKs

Particularly on Android devices, some players do download the Stake.com app using APK files. These apps are unavailable in Google Play or the App Store in India. This procedure works, but there exists a chance of downloading a counterfeit application, thus exercise caution.

To summarize, yes, Indian citizens can still access Stake. However, if you are using a VPN or mirror site, bear in mind you are operating in a legal grey area. It works, but it’s not legally or technically safe.

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Stake.com India: How It Functions

Although Stake.com is not specifically designed for India, the platform still provides a seamless experience for Indian users. Here’s what to look forward to as an Indian user.

1. Account Creation

Signing up is straightforward. All you need to do is go to the site, provide an email address, create a username, and that’s it. However, make sure to complete the verification process later on by submitting the relevant ID documents.

2. KYC (Know Your Customer)

To access the complete features of the account and withdraw funds, Stake will require you to upload a government-issued photo ID. The following documents are permitted:

• Aadhaar Card
• PAN Card
• Passport
• Voter ID
• Driver’s License

The document needs to be legible and within the validity period. Accounts of individuals below the age of 18 will be inaccessible.

3. Making Payments in INR and Crypto

You can switch between crypto and regular currency, and Stake.com accepts both. For Indian users, payments can be made through UPI, credit cards, or debit cards. This is beneficial for users who want to avoid the hassle that comes with cryptocurrency deals.

If you prefer using crypto, you are free to do so as the platform accepts:

• Bitcoin (BTC)
• Ethereum (ETH)
• Litecoin (LTC)
• Tether (USDT)

If you wish to engage in playing after earning some crypto, you can acquire it from exchanges like WazirX, CoinDCX, or Binance and subsequently transfer it to your Stake wallet.

4. Platform Experience

Mobile or desktop, Stake works seamlessly. The loading speed of the site, its cleanliness, and the availability of live chat add to the performance. While there is no official listing for an app in the Indian app stores, APKs are available.

The other features offered by the site include:

• Sports betting
• Casino games
• Live dealers
• Chat rooms, as well as, leaderboards

Do Stake Winnings Attract Tax In India?

Unfortunately, that is incorrect. If you are winning some money via playing on Stake.com, it is essentially an Indian law obligation to pay tax on it, irrespective of the funds actually being crypto.

Within India’s tax framework, there is a flat rate of 30% that applies to winnings from gambling, scrutinized under income sources inclusive of betting and lotteries. In addition, there’s a cess of 4% resulting in a total taxation of approximately 31.2%.

Consider these pointers:

• Similar to how Indian companies are expected to provide TDS slips and tax forms, Stake.com does not provide these services.
• It is essential to disclose winnings while filing for income tax.
• Regardless if the amount is ₹1,000 or an astonishing ₹10 lakh, the same uniform tax rate is applicable.
• Winning crypto will be converted to INR at the current exchange rate on the date you'd receive it.

Additionally, crypto is also taxed and falls under Section 115BBH which charges a flat tax of 30% on all profits. Therefore, if at any time in the future you trade or exchange your crypto winnings, that portion will be taxed.

Bonus Code on Stake for Users from India

Use the code ATOZMKT when registering on Stake.com if you are a newly registered user from India.

Given the following details:

• 200% deposit bonus of up to ₹1,67,200
• 5% rakeback on every bet placed irrespective of winning or losing.

To redeem this offer:

• Navigate to Website's sign up portal - Stake.com
• In the registration process, input ATOZMKT as your referral code.
• Deposit your funds and the Stake bonus will be credited automatically.

Is it Safe to Use Stake.com in India?

Stake.com is a well known platform that is trusted by many. It is licensed in the Caribbean of Curaçao and uses encryption security for both their accounts and payments. Thus, it is safe to say that many people around the world use it without any issues.

The main point of safety still depends on the website. In India, safety regulations differ from state to state. If you are located at Goa or Maharashtra, the website is available and users generally do not face much trouble. However, restricted states i.e., Telangana or Andhra Pradesh, it would be illegal to use “Stake”.

Certain players also use VPNs to access blocked regions to site. This is dangerous and is risky. Your account could be frozen if they suspect a VPN has been used to access the website. Furthermore, if you lose money or face any issues, there is no indian law to protect you.

Thus Stake is safe as a platform, but for Indian players, there is an age limit of 18. Moreover, users are restricted to states where stake is banned and are free to join states where it is legal but have to mindful of the legal and financial consequences.

Conclusion – So, Is Stake.com Legal in India or Not?

The Stake.com platform operates with no legal issues in India, balancing on legal grey area. This is mainly due to the fact that Stake.com functions from overseas and is not completely illegal in India either. So long as users abide by the local gambling laws of their state, there isn’t much trouble legally.

If you are 18 and above, Stake is usable from states like Goa, Maharashra and even Delhi. In these places, there are no restrictions for financially partaking in Stake. However, in the regions of Andhra Pradesh and Telangana, access to Stake is prohibited.

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