Sikkim's Mountain Casinos — India's Quieter Gaming State
Sikkim quietly legalized casinos in 2002, becoming India's second gaming state after Goa. The properties are small, the setting is Himalayan.
Sikkim licensed casinos in 2002 under the Sikkim Casinos (Control & Tax) Act. Two licensed live properties — Casino Mahjong at Mayfair Spa Resort and Casino Sikkim at Hotel Royal Plaza, both in Gangtok. The state also runs an unusual online lottery. Combine casino time with Himalayan trekking, monasteries, and Nathula Pass.
If Goa is India's loud casino state, Sikkim is the quiet one. The 2002 Casinos Act made Sikkim the second licensed casino jurisdiction in India, but only two operators ever took it up.
The two properties
What's playable
Sikkim casinos run a smaller game menu than Goa's ships:
- Blackjack (multi-deck, mostly 3:2 — verify before sitting)
- Roulette (single-zero is the norm)
- Baccarat (mass tables ₹500–1,000 minimums)
- Indian flush / three-card poker
- A small bank of slots and e-roulette
No craps and limited poker. If you specifically want poker, Goa is your destination.
The Sikkim lottery — different beast
The Sikkim Government licenses an online lottery under the same Act. This isn't casino gaming — it's a state-run paper-and-online lottery operated by external lottery distributors. Tickets sell across India where lottery is legal.
How to actually plan a Sikkim trip
Sikkim isn't a "fly in for the casino" destination. It's a 5–7 day Himalayan trip with casino as one component:
- Days 1–2: Gangtok — MG Marg, Rumtek Monastery, Banjhakri Falls.
- Day 3: Tsomgo Lake and Baba Mandir; Nathula requires permits.
- Days 4–5: Pelling — Kanchenjunga views, Pemayangtse, Khecheopalri.
- Day 6+: North Sikkim (Lachung, Yumthang) if you have time and ILP/permits.
Inner Line Permits required for many Sikkim regions; arrange via your hotel or travel agent.
Why we'd recommend it
If you've done Goa and want India's other casino experience, Sikkim is genuinely interesting. The setting is alpine, Buddhist, slow-paced. The casinos are modest, but combined with the Himalayan trip context, it's one of the more memorable gambling weeks you can plan in Asia.
Topics
- india
- sikkim
- asia