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Editorial·Updated 28 Jul 2026·Read 6 min

Is Zupee legal in India? The current state list

Real-money skill games such as Zupee are permitted in most Indian states, with notable state-specific restrictions. Below lists the states that currently allow paid play, the states that block it, and the states where the rules are still being clarified. The list is reviewed monthly.

Responsible play boundary — calm domestic desk
Responsible play boundary — calm domestic desk. Photograph from the editorial desk archive.

The legal frame

Editorial methodology — desk stack of policy paperwork
Editorial methodology — desk stack of policy paperwork. Editorial desk archive.

The Public Gambling Act, 1867 governs gambling in India but exempts “games of skill” — contests whose outcome depends materially on the player’s mental or physical skill rather than chance. The Supreme Court has repeatedly upheld this exemption, and most state gaming statutes either accept the federal carve-out or define their own list of skill games.

Real-money gaming on the Zupee app takes place as a paid entry into a skill-game round. That is the legal basis the desk finds most often cited in Zupee’s own terms.

States where paid play is allowed

Editorial methodology — verification calendar
Editorial methodology — verification calendar. Editorial desk archive.

Based on the desk’s reading of state legislation as of July 2026, paid Zupee play is allowed in most Indian states, including Maharashtra, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Uttar Pradesh, Delhi, West Bengal, Gujarat, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh and Kerala.

States where paid play is restricted

Official website — laptop view of the real domain
Official website — laptop view of the real domain. Editorial desk archive.

Paid Zupee play is currently restricted in:

  • Telangana — paid online skill games are prohibited under the Telangana Gaming Act, 2017 (as amended).
  • Andhra Pradesh — the state’s 2020 online gaming rules can restrict paid entry; verify locally before depositing.
  • Assam — the Assam Game and Betting Act prohibits most paid online gaming; verify locally before depositing.

This is not legal advice. The desk is a journalism outlet, not a law firm. For binding answers, consult the state’s gaming statute directly or write to a lawyer licensed in the state.

!

The Zupee app blocks sign-up automatically in some restricted states. If you have travelled and the app blocks you, contact customer care — do not try to sign up with a different address.Verified by the desk on 22 Jul 2026.

How to verify yourself

  1. Check the state statute. Most are publicly available on the state legislative site.
  2. Look for the exemption for games of skill.
  3. Read the specific rules for online real-money gaming.
  4. If still uncertain, write to the desk and we’ll cite the relevant section.

Frequently asked

Is Zupee legal in Delhi?

Yes. The Delhi state legislation does not specifically prohibit paid online skill games.

Is Zupee legal in Maharashtra?

Yes. The Maharashtra Prevention of Gambling Act exempts games of skill; this is the position the desk reads as authoritative.

Is Zupee legal in Tamil Nadu?

Yes. The Tamil Nadu state ordinance of 2022 was withdrawn; the federal exemption applies.

Why is Zupee not signing up a player from Telangana?

The Zupee app blocks sign-ups from Telangana automatically. The desk reads this as a defensive measure under the Telangana Gaming Act, 2017.

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