What the 2025 Act changed, then the state overlay
Online real-money cricket betting is prohibited in Odisha under the federal Act in force from 1 May 2026. The older state picture: The Odisha Prevention of Gambling Act, 1955 (the old Orissa statute) still covers offline gambling. Online cricket betting is prohibited nationwide from 1 May 2026 under the 2025 Act.
What this means for you
Odisha's 1955 gambling statute is an offline overlay. It does not authorise internet staking. Online real-money cricket betting is prohibited under the 2025 Act, including advertising it and handling payments for it.
Relevant Laws
- Odisha Prevention of Gambling Act, 1955
State Legal FAQ
Is cricket betting legal in Odisha?
Online, no. The 2025 Act applies in Odisha from 1 May 2026 and prohibits cricket betting for a stake, advertising it, and handling payments for it. The 1955 Prevention of Gambling Act still describes offline gambling; it is not a licence to use an exchange. This page is not legal advice.
Sources
Every legal claim on this page traces to the material below. Primary sources are the statute and government notifications themselves.
- The Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Act, 2025 (Act No. 32 of 2025) — full text(opens in a new tab) — Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology, Government of IndiaPrimary source
- Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Act, 2025 — official announcement(opens in a new tab) — Press Information Bureau, Government of IndiaPrimary source
- The Online Gaming Act, 2025 — redrawing India's online gaming landscape(opens in a new tab) — Trilegal