im, a state in eastern India, has granted its first online gambling licence, five years after passing a law which allowed internet gaming.

Best & Co, a subsidiary of Indian-based lottery company Future Gaming Solutions, has secured the rights to run i-gaming sites in the state.

Sikkim is the only Indian state which does not prohibit online gambling, although it has not been able to give out licences to previous applicants such as Willliam Hill, Ladbrokes, Betfair and 888.

This was due to uncertainty as to whether Sikkim had the legal authority to grant a licence, which goes against the Federal Information Technology Act issued by the Indian central government in 2011.

The only exceptions to the law are games that are deemed to be games of skill, such as rummy and horse racing, while various Indian states operate lottery games.