Dafabet which was founded in 2004 is a large scale online gambling platform that mainly targets the Asian market which includes Indian users. It is licensed by the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) and it provides a great variety of services which include sports betting, online casino games, poker, and virtual sports.
Also it supports many languages and payment methods which includes Indian rupees and UPI. While known for its large sportsbook and user friendly interface Dafabet operates from offshore jurisdictions which puts it in a legal gray area in many Indian states. It is advised that users check local laws before using the platform which is in the midst of very dynamic online gambling regulation changes.
1. Dormitory of Laws in Karnataka India.
A. Central Laws
In India what mainly we see is the Public Gambling Act of 1867 which outlaws what is to run or go to any “common gaming house” and which also for the most part classifies gambling as illegal.
The Act in question is of an older date and does not specifically cover online gambling.
States also have a role in making laws related to gambling. In the case of Karnataka the Karnataka Police Act of 1963 was amended in 2021 which saw the prohibition of all forms of online gambling for money which in turn were declared as cognizable and non-bailable offenses which are to be punished by fine and prison.
These changes made Dafabet and other similar platforms illegal in that state.
B. The issue of skill vs chance.
In India it is determined by which category a game falls into that of chance or skill. What is outlawed is chance based gambling; which is that based primarily on chance, for games that we think of as skill based the law does not apply to.
However Dafabet’s range which includes casino games, slots, sports betting, poker and more is of random elements. Which in turn means that much of what they offer does not fall under the “skill” exemption in India.
2. High Court Ruling and the Gray Area.
A. In February 2022 the High Court ruled that .
In 2022 the Karnataka High Court nullified main issues in the 2021 amendment and reported the Constitutionality of the ban as a matter of which the State had no business to include in the first place. Also the law did not do away with chance based games which it did with skill based ones.
This judgement in effect threw open the doors for skill based gaming platforms (of which fantasy sports and online rummy/poker are examples) to re open their operations in Karnataka a big win for operators like Dream11 and others.
B. Despite the decision by the court legal ambiguity still exists.
That which is ruled is not that all online gambling is legal; what we see is that which is illegal is defined more so. As for Dafabet which provides mostly chance based services it is still largely out of the skill exemption. Also we do not have a new regulatory structure put in place for these platforms.
Karnataka has also set up a legislative committee to put forward new laws that will separate out issues of skill from those of chance, we will see them go after licensing and also do away with foreign “fraudulent” betting sites.
3. Dafabet’s Status: Offshore Installation at the Periphery.
A. License and Operation.
Dafabet is based in the Philippines and operates online they are licensed by Curaçao and mainly serve the Asia Pacific region. It serves the needs of Indian which includes those in Karnataka from it’s international site which also reports to use INR, UPI and other local payment methods.
B. Legal Issues.
Dafabet being an overseas company does not come under Indian central licensing. In prosecution which is at state level we see that in Karnataka they have put forward rules which include that certain games like slots and sports betting are illegal.
Also within the Foreign Exchange Management Act (FEMA) offshore transactions are a issue which in turn put users at risk of financial and regulatory issues.
C. Grey‑Area: Forcing Reality.
In practice what we see is that sites like Dafabet which operate out of jurisdictional gaps are still accessible in Karnataka. Also with laws in which at present there is a lot of change, access is via VPNs which states may or may not be able to control, while we may report issues with certain sites we as a state body do not often take action against the individual users. Also what we see is that the legal risk is still very much present.
4. Regulatory Reform: What is up?
A. New Karnataka Bill in the works.
As of April 9, 2025 the government of Karnataka is working on a new Bill which will regulate online gambling. It will also see to it that:.
- Ban games of chance outright
- Legal and supportive of skill based games which may follow the model of Chhattisgarh’s.
- Protect against fraud, money lending scams, and unregulated offshore sites.
Until that new law is put in place the issue of which platforms like Dafabet are in play is in question they are not definitively in or out.
5. Risks to users in Karnataka.
A. Legal Issues.
Although the 2022 High Court decision saw that skill based platforms will be relieved of some issues brought forth by the law which brought these issues in the first place that does not apply to chance based games. As to Dafabet’s chance based products, we see that which may lead to your prosecution if the state chooses to enforce the 2021 amendment sections that are at the moment up for repeal.
B. Financial Issues.
Offshore betting sites are out of India’s jurisdiction we see issues like delayed or rejected fund deposits and withdrawals, account freezing, currency problems, or non compliance with Indian financial regulations.
C. Consumer issues left out.
Without Indian regulations in place which is where we see the lack of a guaranteed forum for users to bring forward issues companies like Dafabet do have in house processes (ID verification, self exclusion, RNG audits) which are not the same as what is put forth by Indian law.
D. Social and Mental Health Issues.
Gambling addiction is a large issue. In India we see cases of great debt, depression, and distress which are a result of unregulated online betting.
6. What of the issues for users in Karnataka?
✅ If You’re Considering Using Dafabet: If You are thinking of using Dafabet:.
Know the Risk
Most of what Dafabet puts forward are chance based and at present do not have legal protection in Karnataka.
Stay Updated
In 2025 we will see the roll out of a new state law it may bring in clearer regulation and which also introduces what is legal for online chance based gambling.
Watch Enforcement
Karnataka police will begin to act on present offense categories; legal certainty is not immediate.
Protect Your Money
Off shore transactions may break FEMA rules; also they may get stuck or held at admin’s will.
Seek Regulated Alternatives
We see in platforms that are regulated by the state or which which include skills based games like fantasy sports and poker clubs that are legally recognized.
Gamble Responsibly
Set boundaries, track your spend, and see also the benefits from tools that include self exclusion.
7. Summary Snapshot
| Aspect | Current Status |
|---|---|
| Skill-based gaming | ✔️ Legal in Karnataka after 2022 High Court decision |
| Chance-based gaming (slots, casino, sports betting) | ❌ Unprotected, likely illegal |
| Dafabet access | ✅ Accessible; ❓ Legal ambiguity |
| User risks | Legal, financial, addiction, consumer protection |
| Regulatory outlook | New law expected in 2025 to clarify status |
Final Take
As of June 2025 Dafabet is still in a legal gray area in Karnataka. What little regulation there is does not include their primarily chance based games which are what they mainly offer. Until the state legislation is put into place which will likely do away with chance games and issue licenses for skill games use of Dafabet in Karnataka is at the risk of breaking the law and also of financial penalty.
