Betting in India is regulated and restricted. The legal betting India gambling industry includes lotteries and horse racing. There are also casinos in Goa, Daman and Sikkim. There is a debate about introducing laws that make more betting legal in India. On the one side critics say gambling leads to corruption and money-laundering. On the other side, supporters of making betting legal in India highlight the potential substantial revenues for each state. There are existing legal betting sites in India. The potential for more operators to enter the market is significant. However, these sites are amongst the best legal betting sites in India:
Is betting legal in India?
Each state sets its own betting laws and public gaming houses are illegal and operators can be fined for breaking this law. Indian law distinguishes between games of chance and games of skill. However, there are no specific laws that ban online betting even though in theory it is not legal. One state has specifically banned the activity. Others have not passed legislation that makes online gambling illegal. The ambiguity in the laws has led to betting that in theory should be illegal in India.
There are bricks and mortar casinos in three states and on offshore vessels. However, casino operators are considering more locations for a brick and mortar casinos.
Is online betting legal in India?
Online betting is a relatively new activity in India. The state of Sikkim could not grant three online gambling licences in 2010, even though the potential online betting market in India is huge. However, there is an online lottery that operates from Sikkim. Players from the whole of India can buy tickets. In the future, other states are likely to follow Sikkim and introduce online betting. There is a vast market for online betting in India so there soon more sports betting sites.
Indian casinos cannot promote online gaming products, such as casino games, sports betting and bingo. However, offshore casinos not in India can accept online players from India. These sites can target residents of India but Indian Rupees must be available as a currency. A number of overseas and offshore operators have taken advantage of this loophole. They have become popular online operators in India.
Betting Sports in India
The potential interest in sports betting in India is huge. However, any activity is likely to take place at a state or local level. Internet and mobile coverage is increasing at a fast rate. So, the technology is in place to introduce legal betting in each state. Bettors in India bet on many sports but the two most popular betting sports are cricket and football. Hence, there are legal cricket betting sites in India. Football betting is legal in India on the offshore sites. Betting sites offer a range of cricket and football betting odds in pre-match, in-play and ante post betting markets.
Cricket Betting
Cricket is the most popular sport in India. Domestic and international matches attract huge crowds and global television audiences. The number of live cricket matches n TV has generated cricket betting in India. Live cricket betting is legal in India but the providers must be located offshore and not within the borders of India. There is a substantial potential market and states may soon appreciate the cricket betting revenues that can be raised for cricket betting. That means there could be more cricket sites in India.
The most popular legal betting league that takes place in India is the Indian Premier League (IPL). It is a Twenty20 franchise league and franchises can be bought and sold. The IPL brings together eight city-based teams. They meet in a home and away round robin stages. The top four teams qualify for the semi-finals and two teams progress to the IPL final. So, cricket bettors can select from many markets for each IPL fixture. Bookmakers offer a wide range of pre-match and in-play betting markets for each match in the competition.
Football Betting
Football is the most popular betting sport in the world but second to cricket in India. The most popular betting nation is England and the most popular events are the Premier League and the FA Cup. Bettors in the country also place many wagers on the outright winner and match markets in the Champions League. This is the best domestic Cup competition in the world. Football betting in India increases every four years during the soccer World Cup.
A popular football market is the correct score. It is an unpredictable market due to a number of factors but the odds reflect this.
Sites that provide legal betting in India display the three-way match result after 90 minutes market. There is a link to related markets which can total up to 300. The most popular Premier League betting markets are handicaps and totals. Betting sites in India also offer more exotic markets which can provide a big win for a small stake. Hence, bettors like to place legal bets on the first scorer, last scorer and scorer at any time. Another popular football market is the correct score. It is an unpredictable market due to a number of factors but the odds reflect this.
Tennis Betting
Another popular betting sport on legal sites in India is tennis. It is rare in that bettors place more bets in in-play markets than pre-match markets. Tennis lends itself to live betting and is the second most bet on sport in the live environment after football. Most sportsbooks in India offer a comprehensive tennis betting service that includes betting in the three main types of markets. However, there are far more in-play bets than ante post bets on sportsbooks in India.
Betting sites display the two-way match winner market and a link to additional betting options of which there can be up to 50. The most popular betting markets on legal betting sites in India are game and set handicaps and totals. Operators also offer tennis betting options that could produce a decent win from a modest stake. These more exotic markets include correct score set betting and the number of breaks of serve or double faults in a match.
Other Sports
Legal betting sites in India offer a range of sports tailored for the Indian gambling markets. Sports like squash, kabaddi and horse racing generate plenty of bets. Operations offer odds on international squash tournaments. Kabaddi is a team contact sport that is popular in India but also in other parts of Asia. Betting sites for players in India offer a horse racing service. This covers meetings in India and other racing countries, including Britain and Ireland.
Legal Betting Sites
There are several legal betting sites for players in India that are located offshore. Individuals in India are not restricted on these sites which attract many bettors who reside in India. Online gambling is becoming less restricted so there could be more overseas operators entering the betting market in India. Customers can bet on over 50 sports, depending on the bookmaker. Here is a range of the best sports betting sites in India:
Betway
Betway is one of the most popular legal betting sites for bettors who reside in India. The site features betting markets for over 30 sports, including football and cricket. New users can claim a welcome bonus and there are ongoing promotions for existing customers.
Betway doubles your first deposit: pay ₹2,500, play with ₹5,000!
Min dep: ₹500 | Wagering: 1x bonus | 1.75 odds
10Cric
10Cric is one of the best legal cricket betting sites in India. The operator offers cricket odds in pre-match, in-play and ante post markets. The most popular cricket competition for betting is the Indian Premier League. Bettors also place many bets on Test matches and One Day Internationals.
Join 10Cric today; your first deposit gets a 100% bonus up to ₹10,000!
Min dep: ₹1,000 | Wagering: 12x
LeoVegas
LeoVegas is one of the most popular betting sites in India. There are betting markets for all the most bet on sports and some of the more obscure. The live betting interface offers numerous live cricket events and customers have the option to cash out cricket bets.
LeoVegas gives you the welcome bonus tailored to your betting style!
Min dep: ₹1,000 | 1.80 odds
Karamba
Karamba offers legal betting in India across a number of sports. Cricket attracts the most bets for a number of domestic competitions and international fixtures. Test matches involving India, especially against England and Pakistan, generate a great deal of betting interest.
Win or lose, your first bet at Karamba gives you a free bet back!
Min dep: $10 | Wagering: $10 | 1,50 odds