India Sports Betting
India Sports Betting
| Status: | Unregulated |
|---|---|
| B&M Availability: | None |
| Online Availability: | Gray Area |
| Minimum Age: | 18+ |
| Restrictions: | None |
The $150 billion Indian sports betting industry is unregulated, though it is legal to bet on horse racing. Indian sports betting is undergoing an evaluation at the moment. Former Indian Secretary of Sports, Vijay Goel, was reviewing the sports gambling laws in India as late as 2017. Mr. Goel visited the United Kingdom in the summer of 2017 to speak with UK regulators and seek ideas for India’s sports betting regulations. Goel said it might take 2 years to complete the process, so punters might expect a legalized and regulators Indian sports betting industry in the near future.
This guide to India sports betting will discuss the current laws governing land-based and online bookmakers. This page covers the history of Indian gaming laws, along with the regulators who govern the nascent gambling industry in Hindustan. For those real money players who decide to play in the unregulated sports betting market, this article provides advice for evaluating online sportsbooks, while giving suggestions on the best options among offshore bookmakers.
India Sports Betting Legality
Though land-based sports bets in India, the recent Indian Sports Minister wants to legalize sports betting. Most betting is done either on horse races or through unregulated offshore online sportsbooks. Currently, betting on horse racing is legal in India. Racebooks are taxed at a 28% rate. The Indian government is starting to liberalize its gambling laws, though. For instance, poker is considered a game of skill in India, due to a decision by the Indian Supreme Court. PokerStars is planning entry into India, at least in certain of India’s 29 states (like Nagaland).
In September 2017, Vijay Goel was replaced by Col. Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore, a former Olympic shooter. It is uncertain what Col. Rathore’s policies are, though he is from the same political party as Vijay Goel, so his policies might be the same. Those who gamble through land-based bookmakers in India should beware. Police have been conducting widespread raids against illegal gambling dens in Northern India. They conducted a wave of raids during Diwali when betting is at its peak due to widespread beliefs that the Festival of Light brings good luck.
Indian Sports Ministry
While India is not likely to deem sports betting a game of skill, like they did poker, the Indian Youth and Sports Ministry has considered legalizing and regulating Indian online sportsbooks in the recent past. In 2013, several Indian cricket players were accused of match-fixing. This led some Indian officials to argue that the legalization of sports betting would combat match-fixing; while producing as much as $1 billion in tax revenues. Thus, bettors might be able to wager in a regulated gaming market by 2019. Vijay Goel said Indian sports betting would not be “fast-tracked”, though.
Safety of Online Sports Betting in India
Online sports betting in India happens in an unregulated market, bettors face an online sports gambling market which is not safe. No laws protect you from offshore bookmaker operations, so you have to be very careful about choosing trustworthy, respectable, and licensed online betting sites. The safety and security of your online sports betting account should be uppermost in your mind. Only deposit your money in sites that have a good reputation outside India. This restricts the number of choices, but this guide provides ways to verify a site’s legitimacy, while making a few recommendations.
Catering to India Sports Bettors
Indian online sports bettors are likely to look for perks, such as welcome bonuses and VIP rewards. These are important, but instead of shopping for the largest deposit bonus offered, you want to first find online bookmaker sites which are trusted and legitimate. While you might prefer to gamble on sites that support the Rupee and the Hindi language, it might be safest to choose sites which accept the British pound, US dollar, or Bitcoin and support the English language.
In the space below, I’ll describe a site which caters to both needs. If you want a bookmaker site translated into Hindi, I’ll give you a choice.
Online Sports Betting in India
A breakdown of what it’s like to bet online sports in India
Top Sports to Bet On in India
Currencies
Languages
These options may not be available at all sportsbooks, but represent a typical experiences.
Top Three Sports to Bet on in India
- Betting on Cricket – Cricket is one of the most popular sports to bet on in India. Each year, there are between £400 million and £2.5 billion wagered on cricket matches, tournaments, and championships. The biggest cricket event is the Champions Trophy, where the top two cricket countries battle for dominance.
- Horse Racing – Horse racing is fully legalized and regulated within India, and there are dozens of race tracks throughout the country. Millions are wagered each year on these fast-paced events, with the Thoroughbred races leading the way.
- Honorable Mention: Rugby – Despite the fact that Cricket is the biggest bet on sport in India, rugby is trying to make its way into the Hindi hearts. The sports has a strong following, and with the amount of games and tournaments played in India and around the world, betting on rugby is a must.
India Local Betting Sites
The best Indian betting sites need to have a reputation for safety when it comes to payouts. It does not matter what a sportsbook’s deposit bonuses and betting lines are if that site does not pay out when it comes time to collect your winnings. India is an unregulated sports betting market, so the gambling sites that are perfect for Indian sports betting enthusiasts need to license from top regulators like the UK Gambling Commission or Gibraltar’s Ministry of Finance Gambling Division. Be sure to check out the top recommended betting sites and make sure that they accept players from India and are approved for as virtual betting sites in India.
Top Ranked Indian Betting Site – Sportsbetting.ag
- Accepts all major credit cards
- Accepts Litecoin, Bitcoin other cryptos
- Large assortment of sports betting markets
- Competitive odds for betting on many sports
- European football specific bonuses offered for the Cup
Why Is Sportsbook.ag The Best?
The SportsBetting.ag betting site offers most of the biggest sports, including Football, Baseball, Basketball, and Hockey (read review). They also have other international sports like soccer, rugby, and cricket. For the avid bettor, you can use their Live Betting to place bets in real-time. Pick from among dozens of different wagers you can place on a single match-up, along with great prop bets.
SportsBetting.ag offers new members plenty of bonuses, like their 50% up to $1,000 in Free Bets using the code “SB1000“. For those that use Bitcoin, can take advantage of their $20 up to $500 Bitcoin bonus using the promo code “BETCRYPTO“. Take advantage of their bonuses, live betting, and incredible sports betting odds with a sign-up bonus of 50% Up To $1,000. Check out Sportsbetting.ag to place bets and win!
Great for Betting on International Sports — 888 Sport
- One of the most trusted betting sites in history.
- Lots of promotions and bonuses throughout the year..
- Some of the best betting software online.
- Massive wagering limits.
Why bet at 888 Sports?
888 Sport is great for betting on international sports (read review). While Betway Sports might be the best for South American sports betting tastes, Indian gamblers who want access to the full list of global sporting events might prefer 888 Sport. And with bonuses such as Bet €10 To Get €30, you have great chances to get the wins you deserve.
The sheer number of betting lines 888 Sport provides is staggering, with a reported 70,000 sports bets per year. New depositors have over a dozen different payment methods, while payouts on withdrawal request are quick and reliable. Check out 888 Sport to place bets and win!
Depositing and Withdrawing at India Sportsbooks
Depositing and withdrawing in India is the biggest obstacles Indian sports bettors face. While Visa and MasterCard payments are allowed by most sites, a certain number of Visa and MasterCard deposits and withdrawals fail, depending on the local bank which issued those credit cards. Many Indians who make rupee-based online sports betting deposits and withdrawals use web wallets like Neteller and Skrill, which then transfer cash to one’s credit cards or bank accounts. E-wallets add an additional layer of privacy and security to the gambler’s activities.
India Deposit Options You Can Use
India Withdrawal Options You Can Use
India Sports Betting History
The Public Gambling Act 1867 remains the key law that governs gambling in India. Since the 1867 Gambling Act was enacted during the British Raj, many lawmakers have sought a complete overhaul of India’s gambling laws. Since no comprehensive update of the Gambling Law exists, India’s laws do not address online sports betting. Key regional gaming laws have been enacted over the years, including:
- Bombay Prevention of Gambling Act 1887
- Delhi Public Gambling Act 1955
- West Bengal Gambling and Prize Competitions Act 1957 (WB Gambling Law)
- Andhra Pradesh Gaming Act 1974
Indian lotteries are governed by laws passed in 1998 and 2010, while the State of Goa has riverboat casinos, due to a 1975 law. The states of Daman and Sikkim followed suit, so they have small brick-and-mortar casino gambling industries, too. The Information Technology Act 2000 regulates cyber activity in India and has the nebulous authority to ban the transmission of information that can “corrupt” people.
Two Indian states have passed online gambling legislation: Sikkim and Nagaland. The Sikkim Online Gaming (Regulation) Act 2008 and the Sikkim Online Gaming (Regulation) Rules legalized games like online poker, roulette, and blackjack, but never addressed online sports betting. In 2015-16, Nagaland passed the Nagaland Prohibition of Gambling and Promotion and Regulation of Online Games of Skill Act 2015 and the Nagaland Prohibition of Gaming and Promotion and Regulation of Online Games of Skill Rules 2016. These two laws legalized a variety of online skill games, including poker, chess, sudoku, bridge, rummy, nap, spades, and solitaire. The Nagaland online gaming law covers virtual golf, and virtual racing games, quizzes, auction, and binary options. Though virtual racing, and virtual golf flirts with online bookmaking, sports betting online is still not licensed. Online lottery sales are permitted.
India Sports Betting Resources
India’s sports betting resources are few and far between. While a few Indian states have legal online gambling, none of those regulators specifically cover online sports betting. At the moment, the Indian Youth and Sports Ministry is the agency most active in the Internet sports betting niche.
| Website | Information |
|---|---|
| Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports | The Indian Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports is the chief sports betting regulator in India. The Sports Ministry is now under the control of Col. Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore, so its policies are unknown at this time. |
