Reddy Book does not hold legal permission for real-money betting in India in 2026. The Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Act, 2025 has banned all online money games across the country, regardless of whether they involve skill or chance.
Before this law, Reddy Book (also called ReddyBook or Reddy Anna Book) operated in a grey zone because India lacked a central law covering offshore betting platforms.
This article breaks down the current legal position, what the 2025 law changed, the risks involved, and everything Indian users need to know before using this platform.
What Is Reddy Book?
Reddy Book is an offshore online betting platform that offers sports betting, live casino games, and exchange betting services primarily targeting Indian users.
The platform has been operational since 2010 and is linked to the Reddy Anna brand. It operates under multiple domain names, including reddybook.club, thereddybook.com, reddybookk.in, and others.
Users can bet on cricket (including IPL and T20 World Cup), football, tennis, kabaddi, and play casino games like Teen Patti, Roulette, and Poker.
It claims to hold a Curacao eGaming License from the Curacao Gaming Authority, which is used for international credibility. However, that license does not grant legal status in India.
What the 2025 Online Gaming Law Changed
The Indian Parliament passed the Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Bill, 2025 on 21 August 2025. It received Presidential assent the very next day, becoming a full-fledged Act.
This law is a game-changer. Quite literally. Here is what it does:
| Provision | What It Means |
|---|---|
| Bans all online money games | Any game where you pay money (or stakes) expecting monetary returns is now illegal, whether skill-based or chance-based. |
| Covers offshore platforms too | The Act applies to all “Persons,” including foreign entities offering services to Indian users. |
| Website blocking powers | The central government can block any information related to online money gaming from public access. |
| Penalties for operators | Up to 3 years imprisonment and ₹1 crore fine for offering such services. |
| Advertising ban | Advertising online money games is punishable with up to 2 years imprisonment and ₹50 lakh fine. |
| Payment restrictions | Facilitating financial transactions for such games carries up to 3 years imprisonment and ₹1 crore fine. |
| E-sports exempted | Competitive e-sports and free-to-play social games remain legal and are promoted under the Act. |
In simple terms, any platform that takes your money for betting or gambling purposes falls under this ban. That includes Reddy Book.
The Act also created a National Online Gaming Commission (NOGC) that oversees enforcement and classification of games.Worth noting: several industry bodies have challenged this law before the Supreme Court of India. As of 2026, those hearings are ongoing. Until a verdict comes, the Act remains in force.
How Gambling Laws Work In India
India does not have a single uniform gambling law. Historically, gambling is a state subject under the Constitution. Each state gets to make its own rules.
This is why the legal status of platforms like Reddy Book changes depending on which state you are in.
The Public Gambling Act, 1867
At the central level, the Public Gambling Act of 1867 is still technically in force. It prohibits operating or visiting “common gaming houses.”
The penalties are surprisingly mild: a fine of up to ₹200 or imprisonment up to 3 months for running a gaming house. Visitors can face ₹100 fine or 1 month jail.
Here is the catch: this law was written 159 years ago. It was designed for physical gambling dens, not apps on your phone. It does not mention the internet, online platforms, or digital payments.
Section 12 of the Act exempts “games of mere skill.” For years, this distinction allowed betting platforms to argue they offered skill-based games. However, the 2025 Act removes this loophole entirely for online platforms.
State-Level Variations That Still Matter
Even before the 2025 central law, several states had already imposed strict bans on online gambling and betting:
| State | Status |
|---|---|
| Telangana | Banned all online games involving money since 2017 |
| Andhra Pradesh | Banned online gambling and betting since 2020 |
| Tamil Nadu | Passed the TN Prohibition of Online Gambling Act, 2022 |
| Assam | Does not distinguish between skill and chance; all betting banned |
| Odisha | Bans all gambling activities, including online platforms |
| Nagaland | Allows licensed skill games; prohibits chance-based gambling |
| Sikkim | Allows licensed online gaming, but geo-restricted to Sikkim only |
| Goa & Daman | Allow physical casinos in five-star hotels; online betting remains restricted |
Interestingly, Reddy Anna Book itself acknowledges on its website that users from Telangana, Orissa (Odisha), Assam, Sikkim, and Nagaland are not allowed to create IDs on the platform.
With the 2025 Act in place, the central government now has overriding authority. Still, state laws add an extra layer of risk for users in states with explicit bans.
About Reddy Book: Licensing and Claims
Reddy Book claims to be a licensed and regulated platform. On its various websites, it states that it operates under a Curacao eGaming License from the Curacao Gaming Authority.
The platform also advertises SSL encryption, Anti-Money Laundering (AML) policies, and KYC verification for user security.
Does A Curacao License Make It Legal in India?
Short answer: No. Not even close.
A Curacao license is an offshore gaming license that allows a company to offer betting services internationally. Many betting platforms targeting Indian users hold Curacao licenses, including Dafabet, 1xBet, and Betway.
However, Indian law applies to users in India. An offshore license does not override Indian gambling regulations. Think of it this way: a driving license from another country does not automatically let you drive in India.
Moreover, Curacao’s licensing framework has itself been overhauled in 2024 with a new National Ordinance on Games of Chance (LOK). Under the updated rules, only entities established under Curacao law with managing directors resident in Curacao can obtain licenses.
So while the license may offer some international credibility, it provides zero legal cover for Indian users.
Is Reddy Book Legal in India In 2026?
Let us put it plainly. Reddy Book does not have legal permission to offer real-money betting in India in 2026.
Under the Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Act, 2025, any online game where users pay money expecting monetary returns is classified as an online money game and is prohibited. This applies to Reddy Book’s cricket betting, casino games, and exchange betting services.
The fact that you can still access the website does not change this. Access does not equal legality.
Between 2022 and June 2025, the Indian government blocked over 1,524 betting and gambling websites. In early 2026, an additional 242 illegal betting websites were blocked, taking the total past 7,800.
Many offshore platforms continue to use mirror domains and alternate links. But the government has the power to block those too, and enforcement is only getting stricter.
Security Features On Reddy Book
To its credit, Reddy Book does invest in user security. The platform advertises the following features:
- SSL Encryption: The website claims to use 256-Bit SSL encryption to protect personal and financial data during transactions.
- KYC Verification: Users go through identity verification before their accounts are fully activated.
- Anti-Money Laundering (AML): The platform states it has systems to flag suspicious transactions.
- Encrypted Payments: Deposits and withdrawals are processed through Indian payment methods like UPI, GPay, PhonePe, and net banking.
- 24/7 Customer Support: Available via WhatsApp, email, and phone.
These features do protect against data theft and unauthorized access. However, they do not change the platform’s legal status in India. A well-locked house in a restricted zone is still in a restricted zone.
What Risks Do Users Face in 2026?
Using Reddy Book or any similar offshore betting platform in India comes with real risks in 2026. The legal environment has tightened considerably.
Legal Consequences
Under the Online Gaming Act, 2025, offering online money gaming services is a cognisable and non-bailable offence. While the law focuses more on operators and facilitators, users in states with explicit anti-gambling laws could still face legal action.
For instance, in Telangana and Andhra Pradesh, users caught gambling online can face up to 1 year imprisonment or a fine.
Financial Risks
Banks and payment providers have increasingly started blocking transactions to and from betting sites. Your deposits might fail, or worse, your withdrawals might get stuck.
UPI apps, credit cards, and net banking channels are being monitored. The 2025 Act gives authorities the power to restrict financial transactions linked to online money games. In fact, over 2,400 bank accounts were frozen for suspicious betting-related activity even before the Act was passed.
Data and Privacy Risks
When you sign up on an offshore betting platform, you share personal details like your name, phone number, bank account, and sometimes even Aadhaar or PAN details for KYC.
If the platform faces a data breach, Indian consumer protection laws may not help you recover damages. Offshore platforms operate outside Indian jurisdiction, making disputes incredibly hard to resolve.
Scam and Fraud Risks
This is a big one. Reddy Book operates through multiple domain names and clone websites. A quick search shows dozens of sites using variations of the name: reddybook.club, thereddybook.com, reddybookk.in, reddyabook.club, reddybooks.org.in, and more.
It becomes nearly impossible for a regular user to tell which one is “official” and which is a scam. One wrong link, and you could lose your entire deposit to a fake site. No refund. No support. Just gone.
Addiction Risk
The World Health Organization classifies gaming disorder as a health condition in its International Classification of Diseases, describing it as loss of control, neglect of daily activities, and persistence despite harmful consequences.
Betting platforms are designed to encourage frequent play. Losses pile up quickly when users chase wins, and what starts as entertainment can turn into financial and mental distress.
Reddy Book Mobile App Availability
Reddy Book offers mobile apps for both Android and iOS devices. The app provides access to sports betting, live casino, real-time odds, deposits, and withdrawals.
Since the app is not available on the Google Play Store or Apple App Store (both platforms prohibit real-money gambling apps in India), users have to download it via APK files from the website.
Downloading APK files from unverified sources is itself a security risk. These files can be modified to include malware, and there is no app store review process to catch it.
Reddy Book vs Other Betting Platforms in India
To put Reddy Book’s status in context, here is how it compares with other popular betting platforms targeting Indian users:
| Platform | Offshore License | Legal in India? | Status in 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Reddy Book | Curacao | No | Accessible but not legal |
| Dafabet | Curacao | No | Accessible but not legal |
| 1xBet | Curacao | No | Blocked/Banned |
| Betway | Malta (MGA) | No | Blocked/Banned |
| Fairplay | Curacao | No | Accessible but not legal |
| Mahadev Book | None verified | No | Under investigation |
The pattern is clear. No offshore betting platform holds legal status for real-money betting in India under the current framework. Accessibility is not the same as legality.
Has Anyone Been Jailed For Online Betting in India?
Based on publicly available records, no individual user in India has been jailed specifically for placing bets on an offshore platform so far.
However, enforcement is escalating. The government has blocked thousands of websites, frozen bank accounts, and the 2025 Act gives authorities the power to arrest without warrant during investigations.
The fact that arrests have not happened yet does not mean they will not happen in the future. The legal infrastructure is now in place. A single high-profile case could set a precedent.
Also worth remembering: operators of Mahadev Book faced serious legal action, including arrests and ED raids. If enforcement reaches operators, users could be next.
Suggested Reads:
The Bottom Line: Reddy Book Don’t Hold Legal Status
Reddy Book does not hold legal status for real-money betting and gambling in India in 2026. The Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Act, 2025 has made the position clear: all online money games are banned, whether skill-based or chance-based.
Even if you can access the website or app, using it for betting carries legal, financial, and privacy risks. Before using any such platform, check your state laws and the central gaming regulations. If you still choose to proceed, do so with full awareness of the risks involved.
