Publisher versus operator, and the rules that frame both
rs9 is an editorial publisher. The partner is the operator. This route makes that split explicit, lists what rs9 publishes, lists what the partner publishes, names the source basis for each, and records the eligibility ledger that governs where the partner contests can be opened by an Indian reader.
What rs9 publishes, and what the partner publishes
rs9 publishes
- Captain and vice-captain mechanics for fantasy formats.
- Format change notes from the partner changelog.
- State eligibility ledger, mirrored from the partner ledger.
- KYC walk-through, UPI withdrawal timing, VIP tier structure.
- Daily race mechanics and contest window coverage.
- Catalogue preview across 973 verified games, 8 providers.
Partner publishes
- The wallet, the contests and the verification flow.
- Account-level data and the ticket queue.
- The rake structure, bonus eligibility per reader and the VIP tier rules.
- Refund policy, payout disputes, and partner-side SLA windows.
- Operator terms, AML posture and partner-side risk controls.
- The in-app Help screen, support tickets and the appeals ladder.
Where the partner contests can be opened
The skill-versus-chance classification for online fantasy contests is judged state by state. The partner ledger lists seven states where the partner contests are currently open. The restricted set includes Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Assam, Odisha, Sikkim and Nagaland. Tamil Nadu and Karnataka are under review and the partner flow reflects that status.
| State | Partner status | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Maharashtra | Open | Partner ledger |
| Karnataka | Under review | Partner ledger |
| Tamil Nadu | Under review | Partner ledger |
| Delhi | Open | Partner ledger |
| West Bengal | Open | Partner ledger |
| Gujarat | Open | Partner ledger |
| Rajasthan | Open | Partner ledger |
| Andhra Pradesh | Restricted | Partner ledger |
| Telangana | Restricted | Partner ledger |
| Assam | Restricted | Partner ledger |
| Odisha | Restricted | Partner ledger |
| Sikkim | Restricted | Partner ledger |
| Nagaland | Restricted | Partner ledger |
For the latest state-by-state list, the canonical reference is /is-legal/. The list above is the rs9 mirror; readers who need a reader-specific ruling should consult a qualified lawyer in the reader's state.
Two frames Indian readers see
Public Gambling Act 1867
The Public Gambling Act 1867 criminalises the operation of a public gambling house. The Act was drafted before online formats existed and does not address skill-versus-chance classification. State-level gaming acts and state-level fantasy rulings are the practical frame for online formats; the skill-versus-chance judgement is set state by state.
MeitY advisory 2020
The MeitY advisory dated 2020 asks intermediaries to disable access to online real-money gaming formats that are not compliant with applicable law. The advisory is addressed to intermediaries, not to readers; it does not impose a per-reader liability. The advisory is part of the eligibility context; the per-reader rule is the partner eligibility ledger above.
Where each fact on this route is sourced
| Claim | Source | Last reviewed |
|---|---|---|
| rs9 is the editorial publisher | rs9 footer disclosure | 2026-08-20 |
| The partner holds the wallet and contests | Partner terms of service | 2026-08-20 |
| 973 games across 8 providers | Partner catalogue | 2026-08-20 |
| 15-tier VIP ladder | Partner VIP table | 2026-08-20 |
| Seven open states under the partner ledger | Partner eligibility ledger | 2026-08-20 |
| Public Gambling Act 1867 context | India Code, MeitY advisory 2020 | 2026-08-20 |
| Affiliation disclosure | rs9 footer + /legal/ | 2026-08-20 |
For the per-account terms that govern a reader's relationship with the partner, the partner's own terms of service apply. rs9's terms on /terms/ govern only rs9-bonus.com.
Why the publisher and the operator are kept separate
rs9 publishes editorial coverage. The partner operates the contests. The split exists for three reasons. First, an editorial publisher cannot speak for an operator on operational matters; readers who call rs9 for a withdrawal delay would be told to call the partner, and that round trip is wasted time. Second, an operator cannot be neutral on editorial matters; an operator's write-up of the format is marketing, not coverage. Third, the regulatory frames for publishing and operating are different; the editorial side is governed by information-publication law, the operator side by state-level gaming rules and by the partner's licensing posture.
The split is enforced by routing: every CTA across the rs9 site carries rel="sponsored nofollow noopener noreferrer" and points at /Login/playnow, which the partner host serves. From the first tap on the partner host, the partner's terms of service govern the reader. Before that tap, rs9's terms govern.
The split is also enforced by what rs9 does not publish. rs9 does not publish a refund policy, a payout guarantee or a bonus-eligibility rule per reader. The partner publishes those, and the partner's publication is the authoritative version. rs9 publishes only the editorial coverage the partner does not write.
Who the parties are
| Party | Role | Scope |
|---|---|---|
| rs9 editorial publisher | Publishes the editorial coverage on rs9-bonus.com. | Catalogue preview, captain picks, format change log, eligibility ledger mirror, KYC walk-through. |
| Partner operator | Operates the contests and the wallet on the partner host. | Account creation, KYC, deposits, withdrawals, contests, VIP ladder, ticket queue, refund path. |
| Reader | Reads rs9 and decides whether to continue to the partner host. | The reader's decision lives entirely on the reader's side; rs9 and the partner each publish what they publish. |
| Independent help services | Run the helplines on /responsible-use/. | iCall, Gamblers Anonymous India, NIMHANS and partner-side cool-off flows. |
Why the seven-state list matters more than it looks
The eligibility ledger on this route is a mirror of the partner ledger, not the partner ledger itself. The partner ledger is updated whenever the partner's state-by-state posture changes; rs9 updates the mirror within the editorial review window. A reader who plans a session should check /is-legal/ on the day of the session because the partner ledger can move between an rs9 mirror update and a session.
The seven-state list is the practical answer to "can I open a partner account from where I live?" The list is not the answer to "is fantasy legal in my state?" - that question is judged by state-level gaming acts and state-level fantasy rulings, which can move independently of the partner ledger. A reader who needs a state-level answer should consult a qualified lawyer in the reader's state.
The "under review" tag for Tamil Nadu and Karnataka reflects the partner's posture on those states, not the rs9 editorial position. rs9 publishes what the partner publishes; rs9 does not editorialize on the partner's posture. The wording on the ledger mirror matches the partner's published wording.
What the split means for reader risk
Online formats of any kind carry financial risk. The partner's rake structure, the partner's contest windows and the partner's VIP ladder rules are the operational risk frame; rs9 does not author those and rs9 does not have visibility into per-account decisions. A reader's risk on a given contest is the reader's risk to evaluate; rs9 publishes the format and the eligibility ledger so a reader can evaluate the frame, but the per-account decision sits with the reader and the partner.
For readers who want to step back, the helplines on /responsible-use/ and the partner-side cool-off flow are the right paths. rs9 does not provide counselling and does not act as an intermediary for a cool-off request; the partner-side flow is the flow that has the operational effect.
Why each fact on this route carries a source
Each fact on this route carries an explicit source because the editorial side does not author the operational facts. The partner holds the wallet and the contests; rs9 publishes the editorial mirror. The source tag on each fact tells the reader which side the fact comes from, and where the canonical version lives. The source tag is the discipline that prevents the editorial side from drifting into making operational claims.
The source basis is also the discipline that lets the partner ledger update without breaking the rs9 copy. When the partner ledger moves, rs9 moves the mirror, and the source tag on each fact tells the reader which line was updated. A reader who needs a per-state ruling should follow the source tag back to the canonical partner ledger; the rs9 mirror is the editorial copy, not the canonical source.
The source basis is reviewed on the editorial review window. A source tag that points at a partner ledger page that has moved is fixed within the window; a source tag that points at a partner ledger page that has been retired is moved to the partner's replacement page. The source tag is treated as a live link, not a static label.
Affiliation disclosure
Some links on rs9 are affiliate links. rs9 may receive a commission when a reader registers through the in-app verification route. The commission does not change the offer or the verification terms. The disclosure is repeated on the footer of every route and on /terms/.
rs9 does not charge a reader fee. The partner takes a rake on contests. The rake is set on the partner contest card; rs9 does not set the rake.