The short answer
Horse racing is legal in India. Races are run by turf clubs that hold licences from state governments, at racecourses in Mumbai, Pune, Bangalore, Hyderabad, Kolkata, Mysore, Delhi and Ooty. In 1996 the Supreme Court of India ruled that horse racing is a game of skill, which keeps it outside the country's gambling laws.
The Supreme Court ruling (1996)
In Dr. K.R. Lakshmanan v. State of Tamil Nadu, decided on 12 January 1996, the Supreme Court examined whether racing on horses is gambling. It held that horse racing is a sport where the result depends mainly on skill — the horse's breeding, fitness and form, the trainer's preparation and the jockey's riding — and is therefore a game of “mere skill”, not chance.
Indian gambling law has long treated games of skill differently from games of chance. The Public Gambling Act, 1867, for example, does not apply to games of mere skill. The 1996 judgment remains the leading authority on the status of horse racing in India.
How racing is licensed and regulated
Racing is organised by turf clubs, which hold race meetings, register horses, licence jockeys and trainers, and publish the official racecards and results. Each club runs its racecourse under a licence issued by the state government under state law — for example the Bombay Race-Courses Licensing Act, 1912 (Maharashtra) and the Karnataka Race Courses Licensing Act, 1952.
The main clubs are:
- Royal Western India Turf Club — Mahalaxmi, Mumbai and Pune
- Bangalore Turf Club
- Hyderabad Race Club
- Royal Calcutta Turf Club
- Mysore Race Club
- Delhi Race Club
The Online Gaming Act, 2025
The Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Act, 2025 (assented to on 22 August 2025) prohibits online money games. It does not ban horse racing as a sport, or racing held at licensed racecourses.
How the Act applies to online wagering on races is still being argued. Challenges to the Act have been transferred to the Supreme Court, and Karnataka has proposed amending its racecourse law to licence online race wagering. Until these are settled, the position on online wagering may change — check the latest position with a lawyer before relying on it.
Tax (GST)
Since 22 September 2025, betting on horse racing is taxed at 40% GST under the revised GST rates. From 1 October 2023 until then, the rate was 28% on the full face value of bets.
What RaceDunia is
RaceDunia is a racing information service. We publish racecards, results, fixtures and records for horses, jockeys and trainers, taken from the official turf clubs. We do not take, broker or promote bets, and we do not link to betting sites. 18+.
Frequently asked questions
Is horse racing legal in India?
Yes. Horse racing is a legal sport in India. It is run by turf clubs licensed under state laws, and in Dr. K.R. Lakshmanan v. State of Tamil Nadu (1996) the Supreme Court of India held that horse racing is a game of skill, not a game of chance.
What did the Supreme Court say about horse racing?
In its judgment of 12 January 1996 in Dr. K.R. Lakshmanan v. State of Tamil Nadu, the Supreme Court held that horse racing is a sport that depends mainly on skill — the horse's form, training and the jockey's ability — and is therefore a game of 'mere skill'. Games of mere skill are kept outside India's gambling laws.
Who regulates horse racing in India?
Racing is conducted by turf clubs — for example the Royal Western India Turf Club (Mumbai and Pune), Bangalore Turf Club, Hyderabad Race Club, Royal Calcutta Turf Club, Mysore Race Club and Delhi Race Club — operating racecourses under licences issued by state governments under state racecourse licensing laws, such as the Bombay Race-Courses Licensing Act, 1912 and the Karnataka Race Courses Licensing Act, 1952.
Does the Online Gaming Act 2025 ban horse racing?
No. The Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Act, 2025 deals with online money games; it does not ban horse racing as a sport or racing at licensed racecourses. How it applies to online wagering on races is disputed: challenges to the Act are being heard by the Supreme Court, and some states, such as Karnataka, have proposed their own laws for licensed online race wagering.
What GST applies to horse racing?
Since 22 September 2025, betting on horse racing attracts GST at 40% under the revised GST rate structure. From 1 October 2023 to then, it was taxed at 28% on the full face value of bets.
Does RaceDunia take bets?
No. RaceDunia is a racing information service: racecards, results, fixtures and horse, jockey and trainer records. We do not take, broker or promote bets and do not link to betting sites.