A payment gateway is a technology that enables businesses to accept online payments and securely transmit transaction data between the customer, merchant, and financial networks. In the world of online gaming and casinos, this often functions as a casino payment gateway or gambling payment gateway that authorizes and settles transactions. It connects your website or app to a payment processor, enabling a variety of payment methods (such as UPI, cards, netbanking, wallets, and crypto) depending on the provider and your use case. In short, a modern gaming payment gateway in India powers secure payment processing and frictionless online transactions for players and operators alike.
The best payment gateway for gambling in India in our rating is NOWPayments because it supports crypto deposits, helping operators reduce card declines and chargebacks while enabling fast settlement. It offers developer-friendly integration (APIs, webhooks, payment links) and clear documentation, making it easier for teams accepting payments for online gaming platforms to go live quickly. As a specialist igaming payment gateway, it focuses on secure payment and compliance tools that align with gambling payment processing needs. Put simply, it’s the best payment gateway for gambling in India for operators who want reliable crypto-based casino payment solutions without relying on domestic card or UPI rails.
Choosing the right gateway in 2026 matters because approval rates, settlement speed, and efficient payout rails directly affect deposits, withdrawals, and player lifetime value across the world of online gambling. Indian operators should evaluate secure payment gateways for cash rummy tournaments in India and other skill-gaming formats by reviewing KYC/AML, responsible-gaming controls, and regional compliance. Most mainstream Indian aggregators limit or prohibit real-money gambling, so many platforms use specialized gambling payment providers or crypto-first solutions to remain compliant and maintain conversion. Broad coverage across permitted payment modes—plus a clear fee structure—helps you choose the best gaming payment gateway in India while maintaining a seamless and secure payment experience.
Here’s a list of payment gateways for gambling in India:
- NOWPayments
- PayU
- Razorpay
- Instamojo
- PayPal
- CCAvenue
What We Considered When Choosing the Best Payment Gateway: Our Selection Criteria
Our goal was to create an unbiased comparison tailored to gambling and real-money gaming businesses in India. We focused on operational features that directly affect player experience and compliance—specifically how fast transactions clear, how funds are held, and how reliably recurring billing works for memberships or tournament passes.
- Transaction Speed: How quickly deposits authorize and settle to your account, including instant wallet crediting and clear T+ settlement timelines.
- Custody: Who holds funds (custodial vs. non-custodial), how balances are segregated, and the safeguards applied to protect player and operator money.
- Recurring Payments: The gateway’s ability to handle subscriptions or mandates reliably (setup, retries, cancellations) for memberships, passes, or tournaments.
The comparative table below summarizes how each gateway performs in these three decisive categories, which we will explore in detail for each provider.
| Payment Gateway | Transaction Speed | Custody | Recurring Payments |
|---|---|---|---|
| NOWPayments | ≈45 sec–3 min on-chain credit | Non-custodial (custody available) | API-based recurring via wallet/crypto flows |
| PayU | Auth <10s; T+1–T+2 settlement | Custodial (aggregator, nodal a/c) | UPI AutoPay & tokenized cards (eligible merchants) |
| Razorpay | Auth <10s; T+1–T+2 settlement | Custodial (aggregator, nodal a/c) | Subscriptions with tokenized cards & UPI AutoPay |
| Instamojo | Auth <10s; T+2–T+3 settlement | Custodial (aggregator, nodal a/c) | Subscription/plan tools (mandate-dependent) |
| PayPal | Auth <10s; bank 1–3 days | Custodial (PayPal balance) | Mature subscriptions (region/currency limits) |
| CCAvenue | Auth <10s; T+2 settlement | Custodial (aggregator, nodal a/c) | Tokenized cards & UPI mandates (where enabled) |
NOWPayments
NOWPayments is the best crypto payment gateway that helps licensed operators use a casino payment gateway and gambling payment gateway without relying on domestic rails that often decline gaming transactions. It’s non-custodial by default, which appeals to teams choosing a payment gateway for gambling that want direct wallet control, yet it also offers optional custody for operational simplicity. For accepting payments for online gaming platforms, its APIs, payment links, and webhooks enable real-time crediting and automated treasury flows. In India, this makes it a practical complement to a payment gateway in India strategy for iGaming sites that want the best payment gateway for gambling in India with crypto rails and flexible integrations.
Transaction Speed. On-chain deposits usually confirm in about 45 seconds to 3 minutes, depending on the network and asset. Webhooks notify your gaming platform the moment confirmations land, so balances can be updated in near real time. Auto-conversion (if configured) can reduce volatility after confirmation, supporting consistent player wallet values. This fast path benefits operators selecting the best gateway for gaming who need reliable, round-the-clock processing for tournaments and live events in the world of online gambling.
| Speed Metric | Timeframe |
|---|---|
| Payment Confirmation | ~45 sec–3 min |
| Settlement to Account | Post-confirmation |
| Instant Payout | ✅ (to your wallet) |
Custody. By default, funds are routed to wallets you control (non-custodial), ensuring clear ownership for audit and compliance. For teams asking “how do I evaluate secure payment gateways for cash rummy tournaments in India?” the availability of custody options can simplify treasury centralization and ops controls. This hybrid flexibility aligns with choosing a gaming payment processor that matches your risk model and licensing requirements. It’s a strong fit for gambling payment processors seeking transparent fund flows and segregation in a gambling payments platform.
| Security Aspect | Status |
|---|---|
| Fund Control | Your wallet (non-custodial) by default |
| Access Speed | Instant post-confirmation |
| Compliance | Merchant-led KYC/AML policies (crypto) |
Recurring Payments. Recurring is implemented via API-first logic, payment links, and wallet prompts rather than card mandates, which suits digital memberships, VIP passes, and season-based entries. Your app controls cycles, retries, and dunning with webhook feedback, giving precise control over the payment experience. This approach is useful for operators that want best solutions for iGaming while keeping subscription logic in the gaming platform. It also pairs well with online casino payment gateway flows where crypto is used alongside other best online casino payment methods.
| Subscription Feature | Available |
|---|---|
| Recurring Billing | ✅ (API-led) |
| Dunning Management | ✅ (via webhooks/app) |
| Multiple Plan Types | ✅ (app-defined) |
PayU
PayU is a widely used payment gateway in India and is often shortlisted when choosing a gaming payment gateway in India for domestic rails like UPI, cards, and net banking. It is a payment aggregator that settles to merchants on a scheduled basis and offers tooling favored by enterprises and marketplaces. For betting sites payment gateway use cases, underwriting and method availability depend on category, licensing, and compliance. Operators evaluating a payment gateway for gambling or fantasy need to confirm permitted usage for skill-based gaming and any additional risk controls applied.
Transaction Speed. Card/UPI/netbanking authorizations are typically real time (often under 10 seconds), which supports smooth checkouts for payment gateways online casino flows. Settlements are commonly T+1–T+2 business days depending on contract, risk, and method mix. Instant or accelerated settlement may be available to eligible merchants and use cases. These timelines are important for betting payment solutions that prize predictable cash flow in India.
| Speed Metric | Timeframe |
|---|---|
| Payment Confirmation | <10 sec (typical auth) |
| Settlement to Account | T+1–T+2 business days |
| Instant Payout | ✅/❌ (eligibility-based) |
Custody. As a regulated payment aggregator, PayU holds funds in nodal accounts before scheduled settlement to the merchant bank. This model simplifies reconciliation for gaming payments companies that need standardized statements and reports. It’s relevant for casino merchant account–style needs in India, where clear fund flow documentation is important. Always confirm category permissions if you plan to use PayU as a gambling payment provider or payment gateway for rummy or poker.
| Security Aspect | Status |
|---|---|
| Fund Control | Custodial (nodal accounts) |
| Access Speed | Per cycle (T+1–T+2) |
| Compliance | PCI DSS; KYC/AML processes |
Recurring Payments. PayU supports UPI AutoPay/e-mandates and tokenized card subscriptions (subject to RBI norms and merchant approval). APIs and dashboards expose mandate creation, renewals, and failure events to help with dunning and retries. This suits operators building a casino payments platform with memberships or pass-based access. Availability for betting payment systems varies by merchant category and underwriting.
| Subscription Feature | Available |
|---|---|
| Recurring Billing | ✅ (UPI mandates, tokenized cards) |
| Dunning Management | ✅ (configurable) |
| Multiple Plan Types | ✅ (via APIs) |
Razorpay
Razorpay is popular with developers selecting the best gaming payment gateway in India thanks to modern APIs, webhooks, and an extensive plugin ecosystem. It is a payment aggregator that supports a range of domestic methods and provides subscription tooling used across SaaS and membership programs. For gambling industry in India use cases, underwriting and method enablement depend on licensing and risk assessment. Many gaming platform teams consider it when choosing a gaming payment processor for netbanking and UPI coverage.
Transaction Speed. Checkout authorization is typically near instant (often under 10 seconds), helping to maintain high payment success rate during spikes. Settlements generally land T+1–T+2 business days, and some merchants may qualify for accelerated options with fees. Webhooks allow real-time wallet crediting for payment processing for online betting or tournaments. Timelines can vary by category and policy for betting payment gateway usage.
| Speed Metric | Timeframe |
|---|---|
| Payment Confirmation | <10 sec (typical auth) |
| Settlement to Account | T+1–T+2 business days |
| Instant Payout | ✅/❌ (eligibility-based) |
Custody. Razorpay uses nodal accounts to hold funds before settlement, a standard custodial model for Indian aggregators. This structure supports clear reconciliation for gaming payment processing with large deposit volumes. Statements and exports help finance teams in gambling businesses track cash flow and fees. Confirm category eligibility if you intend to use Razorpay as a gambling payment processor for real-money games.
| Security Aspect | Status |
|---|---|
| Fund Control | Custodial (nodal accounts) |
| Access Speed | Per cycle (T+1–T+2) |
| Compliance | PCI DSS; KYC/AML |
Recurring Payments. Razorpay offers subscriptions using tokenized cards and UPI AutoPay where permitted, with rich APIs and webhooks for renewals, retries, and status. Flexible intervals and proration can be configured to fit passes, leagues, or memberships. This is helpful for operators building an egaming payment service provider stack with recurring entitlements. Availability for betting sites that accept netbanking and mandates depends on risk and compliance approval.
| Subscription Feature | Available |
|---|---|
| Recurring Billing | ✅ (cards & UPI mandates) |
| Dunning Management | ✅ (API/webhook-led) |
| Multiple Plan Types | ✅ |
Instamojo
Instamojo is often chosen by smaller teams that want a simple online gaming payment gateway with payment links and quick setup. As a payment aggregator, it emphasizes ease of onboarding and straightforward reconciliation. For operators exploring a payment gateway for games in India, it can be a low-friction way to start accepting payments online. Category approvals for a payment gateway for gambling site or skill-based gaming should be confirmed in advance.
Transaction Speed. Authorizations typically complete in seconds, delivering a smooth checkout for gaming payment solutions. Settlements are commonly T+2–T+3 business days based on plan and risk profile. This slower cadence versus T+1 gateways can be acceptable for casual or smaller-volume operations. It’s important for choosing the right payment gateway to weigh speed versus simplicity in your payment infrastructure.
| Speed Metric | Timeframe |
|---|---|
| Payment Confirmation | <10 sec (typical auth) |
| Settlement to Account | T+2–T+3 business days |
| Instant Payout | ❌ (generally not standard) |
Custody. Funds are held in nodal accounts before settlement to your bank, which is standard for Indian aggregators. This custodial model includes dashboard reconciliation and category-specific policies. For processing online gambling payments or fantasy apps, underwriting will influence method enablement. Documentation and reports help smaller teams maintain reliable payment solutions.
| Security Aspect | Status |
|---|---|
| Fund Control | Custodial (nodal accounts) |
| Access Speed | Per cycle (T+2–T+3) |
| Compliance | PCI DSS; KYC/AML |
Recurring Payments. Instamojo supports subscription/plan features, with renewals and failures surfaced via webhooks and reports. Cycles, pauses, and cancellations are configurable for simple memberships or leagues. Availability depends on mandate support and merchant category. This can complement an online casino payment gateway stack where recurring access is required for premium features.
| Subscription Feature | Available |
|---|---|
| Recurring Billing | ✅ |
| Dunning Management | ✅ (basic) |
| Multiple Plan Types | ✅ |
PayPal
PayPal is a globally recognized payment provider and wallet that Indian merchants typically use for cross-border receipts rather than domestic INR processing. Authorizations within the PayPal ecosystem are near-instant, and withdrawals to bank take about 1–3 business days. For an online gambling payment processor use case targeting international players, it can complement a casino payment provider stack. Teams comparing payment gateway providers for gaming products should confirm corridor eligibility and chargeback policies.
Transaction Speed. Wallet authorizations are near-instant (often under 10 seconds), while bank withdrawals are 1–3 business days depending on corridor and account settings. Notification flows provide quick status so gaming platforms can reflect purchases. PayPal’s timing is suited to international sales rather than domestic UPI flows like best online casino UPI. This can still help betting payment systems that aim to accept payments online from overseas users.
| Speed Metric | Timeframe |
|---|---|
| Payment Confirmation | <10 sec (wallet auth) |
| Settlement to Account | 1–3 business days |
| Instant Payout | ✅/❌ (varies by corridor) |
Custody. PayPal is custodial, which means that funds first live in your PayPal balance and are then withdrawn to bank. Holds and reserves can apply based on account history and risk, which matters for gambling payment services. Detailed statements support finance and audit processes for gaming payments platform teams. Confirm category permissions for any gambling platform usage.
| Security Aspect | Status |
|---|---|
| Fund Control | PayPal balance (custodial) |
| Access Speed | 1–3 days to bank |
| Compliance | PCI DSS; KYC/AML |
Recurring Payments. PayPal offers mature subscriptions and billing agreements for eligible regions/currencies with APIs for plans, renewals, and dunning. For gaming payment gateway integration services targeting international audiences, this can power memberships or premium access. Availability and fees vary by corridor; confirm for Indian entities using cross-border flows. This is often combined with other casino payment services to cover more payment modes.
| Subscription Feature | Available |
|---|---|
| Recurring Billing | ✅ |
| Dunning Management | ✅ |
| Multiple Plan Types | ✅ |
CCAvenue
CCAvenue is a long-standing payment gateway in India with extensive domestic coverage across payment modes such as credit/debit cards, UPI, and netbanking. Enterprises use it for its reporting, reconciliation, and local support presence. As a payment aggregator, it provides scheduled settlements and category-aware policies. It’s frequently considered when selecting the best payment gateway for operations that require a wide range of payment methods and robust local support.
Transaction Speed. Authorizations typically complete in seconds, supporting smooth checkout journeys with various payment methods. Settlement to merchant bank is commonly T+2 business days, though it can vary by method and risk profile. Webhooks and reporting help reflect real-time payment status to users. The predictable cadence can help iGaming teams planning cash cycles and payout windows.
| Speed Metric | Timeframe |
|---|---|
| Payment Confirmation | <10 sec (typical auth) |
| Settlement to Account | T+2 business days |
| Instant Payout | ✅/❌ (contract-dependent) |
Custody. CCAvenue uses a custodial nodal-account model, a common standard among payment gateway providers in India. This structure simplifies reconciliation and creates consistent audit trails for finance. It’s sensible for operators who need reliable payment solutions embedded in their payment infrastructure. Always verify permissions for gaming categories before going live.
- Custodial via nodal accounts
- Reconciliation files and dashboards
- Category-aware risk and compliance policies
Recurring Payments. CCAvenue supportstokenized card and UPI mandate-based recurring where enabled, enabling seamless and secure payment experiences for memberships or VIP tiers. APIs and portals manage mandate creation, renewals, cancellations, and failure events. Retry logic (dunning) helps improve collection rates in subscription workflows. This fits operators seeking a gateway that offers a variety of payment and recurring options in India.
| Subscription Feature | Available |
|---|---|
| Recurring Billing | ✅ (cards & UPI mandates) |
| Dunning Management | ✅ |
| Plan Variants | ✅ (API/portal) |
Summing up
Selecting the right payment gateway is crucial for any online business in the gambling industry in India because your payment infrastructure must accept payments online reliably, handle sensitive payment data, and maintain success rates across all payment flows. From our list of the best payment options, NOWPayments, PayU, Razorpay, Instamojo, PayPal, and CCAvenue, top payment gateways should be a trusted payment gateway that offers a variety of payment methods and secure payment processing. The ideal payment gateway supports different payment modes like UPI, cards, and netbanking while also providing digital payment solutions that offer a variety of payment options for players who expect a seamless and secure payment experience. When choosing the right payment gateway, look for a gateway that aligns with your compliance needs, exposes clear payment information and reporting, and enables efficient payment solutions that scale.
For 2026, NOWPayments is one of the best payment gateway provider offers for iGaming because it delivers reliable payment solutions with versatile payment rails, enabling operators to offer a variety of payment methods alongside crypto for the world of online gambling. As you select a payment gateway, consider how it helps in building better payment experiences through hassle-free payment flows, gaming payment gateway solutions, and gambling payment gateway solutions that are both secure and efficient payment. By supporting various payment methods and payment modes such as credit and UPI (via complementary stacks), you can choose a payment gateway that strengthens your payment infrastructure while keeping operations flexible. In short, when you’re selecting the best payment gateway for India-focused gaming, NOWPayments stands out for delivering the seamless and secure payment experience modern operators need.