Is Lotus365 Legal in India? The 2025 Online Gaming Act Explained
Short answer: since the Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Act, 2025, India prohibits offering, advertising and facilitating payments for online money games, which includes real-money betting and casino games. This page explains what the law says, who it applies to and what it means for anyone searching for Lotus365 from India. It is general information, not legal advice.
“Is Lotus365 legal in India?” is one of the most common questions people ask about the brand. The honest answer depends on Indian law, not on anything a website says about itself, so this guide sets out the facts as clearly as we can.
Official Lotus365 links
Website: lotus365.lk (also lotus365.com.lk) · India info: lotus365.lk/india · Support: lotus365.lk/customer-care · Fake-site check: lotus365.lk/official-vs-fake
The law in one table
| Item | What the Act and Rules say |
|---|---|
| Name | Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Act, 2025 |
| Passed by Parliament | August 2025 |
| Presidential assent | 22 August 2025 |
| Final rules | Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Rules, 2026, notified in April 2026 |
| Regulator | Online Gaming Authority of India (OGAI), under the Ministry of Electronics and IT |
| What is banned | Offering, aiding, advertising and facilitating payments for online money games |
| What is promoted | E-sports and online social games that involve no money stakes |
| Penalty for offering a money game | Up to 3 years in prison and/or a fine of up to ₹1 crore |
| Penalty for advertising one | Up to 2 years in prison and/or a fine of up to ₹50 lakh |
| Penalty for facilitating payments | Up to 3 years in prison and/or a fine of up to ₹1 crore |
What counts as an “online money game”?
The Act defines an online money game broadly: a game played online where the user pays a fee, deposits money or other stakes in the expectation of winning money or other rewards. Crucially, it applies whether the game is based on skill, chance or both. The old Indian debate about “games of skill” versus “games of chance” no longer decides whether an online real-money game is allowed.
In practice, that covers online sports betting (including cricket betting), casino games played for money, and real-money card games such as online teen patti or rummy played for stakes.
Who does the law apply to?
Operators
Anyone who offers, aids or abets an online money game to users in India is covered. This applies to platforms based outside India too, if they offer services to people in India.
Advertisers and promoters
Advertising or promoting online money games, in any media, is an offence. That includes social media influencers and websites that encourage people in India to play.
Banks and payment services
Banks, payment gateways and other financial institutions must not process payments for online money games. Under the 2026 Rules, they are expected to block such transactions.
Players
The Act is aimed mainly at operators, promoters and payment facilitators. Government statements around the Act described users more as people to be protected than as offenders. However, the law is new, and how it is applied can change. If you are in India and unsure of your own position, speak to a qualified lawyer.
Are there court challenges?
Yes. Several companies challenged the Act in High Courts, including in Karnataka, Delhi and Madhya Pradesh. In September 2025 the Supreme Court transferred these cases to itself. Until the Supreme Court rules, the Act and its Rules stand. Check a reliable news source for the latest position.
What about state laws?
Before the 2025 Act, gambling in India was mainly governed by state laws, starting with the Public Gambling Act, 1867, and later state statutes. Some states, such as Goa and Sikkim, allowed certain licensed casinos or lotteries. The 2025 Act now sets a national rule specifically for online money games, so state-level permissions for physical venues do not make online real-money betting lawful.
So, is Lotus365 legal in India?
Lotus365 is an international brand whose official websites are lotus365.lk and lotus365.com.lk. Whether any person in India can lawfully use a real-money gaming service is decided by Indian law, and on the plain wording of the 2025 Act, offering and promoting online money games in India is prohibited.
That is why our India-facing blog content is informational only. It does not invite readers in India to deposit or place bets. Our blog for India focuses on:
- helping people avoid copy sites that misuse the Lotus365 name,
- explaining how account security works on the official site, and
- general sports and game knowledge.
Indian visitors should read this alongside our India information page and take their own legal advice.
Why this matters for fake Lotus365 sites
Unofficial copies of Lotus365 often target India with claims like “100% legal in India” or “government approved”. Treat those claims as a red flag. No website can override the Act. Copy sites also tend to take payments to personal UPI IDs, which leaves users with no protection at all.
If you have already sent money to a copy:
- Stop further payments.
- Keep screenshots and transaction references (UTR numbers).
- Contact your bank.
- You can report cyber fraud on India’s national cybercrime portal, cybercrime.gov.in, or by calling the 1930 helpline.
- Report the copy to us through lotus365.lk/official-vs-fake.
How to stay safe online
- Check the address bar. Official Lotus365 sites are only lotus365.lk and lotus365.com.lk. Read our Official vs Fake guide.
- Do not trust “legal in India” badges. They are not proof of anything.
- Never share an OTP or password. Lotus365 support never asks for them. Use only the channels on Lotus365 Customer Care.
- Be wary of agents selling IDs. Our explainer on online cricket IDs covers the common scams.
Frequently asked questions
Is online betting legal in India in 2026?
The Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Act, 2025 prohibits offering, advertising and facilitating payments for online money games in India, including online betting. Its rules were notified in April 2026.
Is Lotus365 legal in India?
Indian law, not any website, decides this. The 2025 Act prohibits offering and promoting online money games in India. Our India blog content is informational only and does not invite Indian readers to bet.
Will I be punished for playing on a betting site in India?
The Act mainly targets operators, advertisers and payment facilitators, and official statements described users as people to be protected. The law is new, so speak to a qualified lawyer about your own situation.
Does the skill vs chance difference still matter?
Not for online money games. The 2025 Act covers money games whether they are based on skill, chance or both.
What should I do if a fake Lotus365 site took my money?
Keep evidence, contact your bank, report it at cybercrime.gov.in or on 1930, and report the copy at lotus365.lk/official-vs-fake.
For verified official links and India information, visit lotus365.lk/india
This article is general information about the law as of November 2026 and is not legal advice. 18+ only. Gambling involves financial risk and can be addictive. Check the laws in your country before using any real-money gaming service. Lotus365.lk is the official Lotus365 website; any other site using the Lotus365 name is an unofficial copy.