Festive Savings Are Here. Get 10% OFF on All CCI Pro Plans. Subscribe Now!

Inward remittance of income from gambling, casinos, lottery, etc

2388 views

Save Share

Rajesh Mahajan

Employee

21 Points Posted on 19 September 2022

5.12 Remittances of Income from lottery winnings, racing/riding, sweepstakes etc. are prohibited under the Act, 1999 read with Rule 3 and Schedule 1 of the Foreign Exchange Management (Current Account Transaction) Rules, 2000.

----+++----

So, if someone wins a heavy amount in an American or European lottery/gambling, etc, by playing online, or while on a visit as a tourist, does that mean that the money cannot be used to make purchases in India? Should the amount be left in a foreign bank? How can he/she bring money to India? What should be the "source of income" that has to be stated to the Indian banks?

Replies (4)

Quick Summary

Bringing income from gambling, lotteries, or sweepstakes into India is generally prohibited under the Foreign Exchange Management Act, 1999. This applies to winnings from online play or while visiting abroad. While direct remittance is restricted, some individuals use international platforms or third-party processors to manage these funds. It's crucial to consult with a tax advisor or FEMA expert to understand how to potentially structure and declare the source of income legally for transfer to India.

sabyasachi mukherjee

Profession

19978 Points Posted on 20 September 2022

Income from crossword or puzzle is taxable.

Louise59

Director

22 Points Posted on 10 December 2022

I agree, taxes are pretty high.

Dennis Winn

24 Points Posted on 12 June 2024

From the moment I logged in, I was captivated by the sleek and user-friendly interface. Navigating through the site was a breeze, and I found myself immersed in a world filled with endless possibilities.

Adja Hariba

adjara

22 Points Posted on 03 July 2025

This is a tricky area, especially considering the restrictions under FEMA. But from what I've seen, many individuals working with international platforms like nowplix platform find creative and legal ways to manage such income. Typically, they either set up local entities abroad or use trusted third-party wallets or payment processors to hold the winnings temporarily.

When it comes to remitting the income to India, it's important to declare a valid "source of income"—in this case, it would be foreign services or entertainment-based earnings if structured properly. Direct remittance from gambling winnings is restricted, but structured correctly through platforms that operate as entertainment or marketing providers, it can sometimes fall under a different classification.

Still, best to consult a tax advisor or a FEMA compliance expert before transferring any funds.