Pin-Up is an offshore online casino brand that was heavily promoted to Indian users. Since 1 May 2026, the Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Act, 2025 and its rules ban online money games in India, along with their advertising and related payments. TSA therefore no longer carries login or deposit guidance for such sites.
This page earlier carried a promotional guide to registering, logging in and depositing money on the Pin-Up casino website. That content is outdated and, under the new law, describes a service that cannot legally be offered to users in India. This updated version explains what changed and what users should know.
What is Pin-Up casino?
Pin-Up is the name used by an online casino and betting website that offers slot machines, card and table games such as roulette and blackjack, and live dealer games. It is not an Indian company, and Indian law does not license it.
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Before 2025, such sites targeted Indian users with welcome bonuses, rupee accounts and payment options including cards, e-wallets and cryptocurrencies. Many of these promotions appeared on social media and through paid articles on websites.
What the new online gaming law says
Parliament passed the Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Act in August 2025. The Lok Sabha cleared it on 20 August and the Rajya Sabha on 21 August, and it received Presidential assent on 22 August 2025.
The government notified the Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Rules, 2026 on 22 April 2026, and the Act and rules came into force on 1 May 2026, according to All India Radio News. The key points are:
- Ban on online money games: Games played for money are banned, whether they are based on chance, skill or both.
- Ban on advertising: Promoting or advertising online money games is prohibited.
- Ban on related payments: Banks and payment service providers must not process transactions for online money games.
- New regulator: The Online Gaming Authority of India, under the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology, classifies games, oversees compliance and handles grievances.
- Penalties: Violations can lead to imprisonment and fines.
What is still allowed
The law separates money games from other kinds of online gaming. E-sports and online social games, which do not involve staking money for winnings, are to be promoted and can be registered with the authority. The rules also include user safety measures such as age verification, time limits and parental controls.
Legal challenges to the Act were filed in several High Courts, and in September 2025 the Supreme Court moved these cases to itself. Readers should follow official updates for the outcome.
Old rules versus new rules
| Area | Before May 2026 | From 1 May 2026 |
|---|---|---|
| Online money games | Grey area, mostly state laws | Banned across India |
| Advertising | Widespread, including by celebrities | Prohibited |
| Payments | Cards, UPI, e-wallets, crypto | Banks and payment firms barred from processing |
| Regulator | None at national level | Online Gaming Authority of India |
| E-sports and social games | Unregulated | Promoted, with registration |
Risks of offshore betting sites
Even before the ban, users of unlicensed offshore sites faced real risks. There is no Indian regulator to approach if a site refuses to pay out, freezes an account or changes its bonus terms. Deposits made through crypto or foreign e-wallets are very hard to trace or recover.
Many fake “login” pages and apps also copy the look of well-known betting brands to steal passwords, card details and OTPs. Search results for such brands are often full of copycat pages, which makes it easy to land on a fraudulent site.
Money lost this way is rarely recovered. Accounts on such sites are also often linked to aggressive marketing calls and messages, and personal data shared during sign-up may be sold or misused. The safest approach is not to sign up at all.
- Do not share OTPs, card details or UPI PINs on any gaming or betting site.
- Do not install betting apps from links shared on messaging apps or social media.
- Be wary of “guaranteed” bonuses or tips sold by agents and Telegram channels.
Where to get help
If you have lost money to an online fraud, call the national cybercrime helpline 1930 as soon as possible, or file a complaint on the official National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal. Quick reporting gives the best chance of freezing the money trail.
If gambling is causing stress or affecting your finances or relationships, you can speak to a trained counsellor through Tele-MANAS, the government’s free mental health helpline, at 14416. For personal advice, consult a doctor or qualified counsellor.
For more explainers on digital rules and money, read our technology section and finance coverage.
Further reading: Pin-up casino login.
Frequently asked questions
Is Pin-Up casino legal in India?
No. Since 1 May 2026, online money games, including online casinos, are banned in India under the Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Act, 2025.
Can banks process payments to online casinos?
No. The Act and rules bar banks and payment service providers from processing transactions for online money games.
Are fantasy and skill games for money still allowed?
No. The ban covers online money games whether they are based on chance, skill or both. Free-to-play social games and e-sports are allowed.
Who regulates online gaming in India now?
The Online Gaming Authority of India, set up under the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology, oversees the sector from May 2026.
Sources: All India Radio News on the Online Gaming Rules, 2026, Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Act, 2025 on Wikipedia, National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal.
