Aviator is an online betting game which operates like a “crash” game. A tiny plane (or multiplier) takes off and goes up steadily, and gamers have to cash out before the plane “crashes.” Here in this game the longer you wait more money you can win from this, but if you don’t cash out before the it crashes then you lose your money.
Currently Aviator game is centre of attraction of the controversy, whether the chance based online games are gambling or any kind of entertainment because the real money is invested in this game and wins and losses happen in it.
What the Law Say About it:
As per the “Public Gambling Act of 1867”, which is one of the oldest gambling law of India, says that “games of chance” are illegal. Yet, courts have allowed all those games that require skill to win. For decades, the difference between “chance” & “skill” has been the basis of gaming rules. But the gaming law changed a lot in 2025 when Parliament passed the Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Bill, sometimes this is called the “Online Gaming Act”.
This new law laid out the rules for the online gaming industry. The new Gaming Law aims to restrict online money games while promoting non-monetary gaming and e-sports.
Why Aviator is in a gray area?
Players argue on crash games like Aviator since the outcome is mainly unreliable, even if gamer have to decide when to cash out. Legal experts say that such type of strategy is making it hard to tell the difference between the chance and talent, this makes a lot of judges and regulators concerned about addressing these games “skill-based.”
Recently there is a legal debates & remarks in high courts reveal that regulators and courts are conducting investigation whether these real-money forms may be considered as a gambling or not.
What Players say about it:
Several online casinos sites say that Indian players can play Aviator because the game servers are based in Malta, Curacao and other offshore locations so this is because Indian rules have not always been clear about cross-border online gaming services.
Online Gaming platforms and Online Casino owners says that games like Aviator is “available” and “legal to play” for Indian players, but those claims are only about operational availability but not a legal safe-harbour under Indian law.
Real risk for Players:
No matter Aviator is allowing Indian players to play, but still three risks are there:
- National or state regulators can ban or punish operators and charge them fine.
- Consumer protections will be weaker for the offshore platforms & it’s difficult to give protection to the users.
- Some States are moving forward and strictly bans such types of Gaming Portals. It means that it’s completely unpredictable, what is allowed right now could change overnight.
Conclusion:
At present Aviator is allowed in Indian and it’s legal to play. Offshore casinos service providers makes it easy to play for real money but Indian laws day by day getting strict about real-money online games that rely mostly on luck.
As per the current gaming act (which passed in 2025) playing Aviator game in exchange of real money is considered as risky from a legal point of view. It’s because it could lead to regulatory action, limited consumer protection and possible taxes or fines. If you decide to play the Aviator game then be aware of the risks it carries and use licensed platforms wherever you can and always think of it as high-risk fun instead of an ongoing source of income.