# Is Polymarket legal in India? (2026 update)

URL: https://tomorrowalpha.com/legal/india
Updated: 2026-10-12

No. India's Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Act 2025, in force since 1 May 2026, bans online money games including those run from abroad, and the government (MeitY) ordered Polymarket blocked in May 2026. Kalshi added India to its restricted jurisdictions on 17 June 2026. Play-money platforms such as Manifold are not money games.

## At a glance

- **Law:** Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Act 2025 (in force 1 May 2026)
- **Regulator:** Ministry of Electronics & IT (MeitY)
- **Polymarket:** Blocked (website block order, May 2026)
- **Kalshi:** Restricted since 17 June 2026

## What does India's Online Gaming Act say about prediction markets?

The Act prohibits offering online money games (section 5), advertising them (section 6) and processing payments for them (section 7), including services operated from outside India. Legal analysts broadly agree that paying to buy contracts on future events falls within that definition. Website blocking is carried out under section 69A of the Information Technology Act.

## Polymarket and Kalshi in India — current status

MeitY confirmed by 21 May 2026 that a blocking order against Polymarket had been issued. Kalshi amended its member agreement on 17 June 2026 to bar users domiciled or located in India, leaving India among 55 restricted jurisdictions. The government has also asked VPN providers not to facilitate access.

Earlier claims that Polymarket is 'legal in India' because it uses USDC are out of date.

## Frequently asked questions

### Is Polymarket legal in India?

No. Online money games are banned under the 2025 Online Gaming Act and Polymarket was blocked by government order in May 2026.

### Can Indians use Kalshi?

No. Kalshi restricted India on 17 June 2026.

### Is Manifold Markets legal in India?

Manifold uses play money that cannot be cashed out, so it is not an online money game under the Act.

## Sources

1. [Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Act, 2025 (India Code)](https://www.indiacode.nic.in/bitstream/123456789/22148/1/a2025-32.pdf)
2. [ThePrint — government blocks Polymarket](https://theprint.in/india/governance/polymarket-kalshi-india-prediction-markets/2937547/)
3. [Kalshi member agreement](https://kalshi.com/docs/kalshi-member-agreement.pdf)