History of Gambling Laws In India: A Quick Overview
Since there were no regulations against offshore sportsbooks, online gambling, and betting remained allowed for many years. Sportsbooks such as Parimatch, Cricbaba, and others took bets from Indian citizens. The Public Gaming Act of 1867 governs betting and gaming legislation in India. However, they do not address it because these rules existed long before online betting became popular.
This act states that betting or gambling is only illegal in public spaces or gaming establishments. The Information Technology Act 2000 (IT Act 2000) is another piece of legislation that controls communications and transactions conducted online. Additionally, internet gaming and betting were not mentioned in this measure.
India’s states are free to enact regulations about online betting, although the Public Gambling Act of 1867 is still in effect for most of them. However, online gaming and betting are strictly prohibited in states like Tamil Nadu, Telangana, Karnataka, Chhattisgarh and Andhra Pradesh.
So, Is Online Betting Legal in India?
India's laws about online betting and gambling can seem a bit complicated, but here's the gist of it. The old Public Gambling Act from 1867 doesn't really mention online gambling, which means there aren't specific rules against it. Because of this, lots of online betting sites, run by companies outside of India, are open to Indian bettors.
In 2008, India introduced the Payment and Settlement Act. This gave the Reserve Bank of India the power to oversee electronic payments, which include transactions related to online gambling. This was a way to keep an eye on and somewhat control online betting in the country.
Foreign companies are also not allowed to be involved in lotteries and certain types of gambling in India. Plus, there are rules under the IT Act of 2000 that let the Indian government block access to websites related to gambling. This means they can regulate international betting sites and games to some extent.
In short, while online gaming and betting aren't directly banned by Indian law, the government has ways to regulate and monitor these activities. So, betting on popular online platforms isn't technically illegal, and there's no clear risk of getting in trouble for it.
How To Know Which Betting Sites Are Not Legal In India
Almost every other popular legal betting site goes above and beyond to ensure customers are safe on their platforms.
These sportsbooks give their best efforts to make sure you have a thrilling and secure online betting experience, whether it’s payment confidentiality or data security. However, the market still has a few betting sites that operate illegally and scam Indian bettors.
To avoid those sites, follow these tips:
- Verify whether popular payment options particular to India, such as UPI, PhonePe, and GPay, are available.
- Make sure the bookmaker offers timely customer service.
- Look at the online reviews of betting sites as well as independent review sites.
- Verify that the operator has licenses in effect from recognized regulatory agencies such as the UKGC, Malta Gaming Authority, or Curaçao Gaming Control Board.
- Verify the presence of strong security mechanisms, including at least 128-bit encryption and SSL certificates.
- Look for the function that verifies your account.
Why Trust Betting Sites in India?
Any betting website with its headquarters located in India is not regarded as legitimate. Indian-specific betting websites with international headquarters are frequently more reputable, well-established businesses that operate lawfully.
Selecting a reputable foreign betting site over local Indian betting sites ensures that you are not only selecting legal online betting but also, most of the time, a high-quality service. The primary distinction between betting sites in the world and those especially catering to Indians is that the former provides services that prioritize the needs of Indians.
For instance, features on Indian betting websites will consist of:
- Accepts Indian currency for deposits and withdrawals
- Offers competitive betting odds for Indian sports like cricket, football, kabaddi, and more.
- Provides excellent customer service support in India
- Payment methods that are easily accessible by Indians
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How To Choose A Safe And Reputable Online Betting Site In India?
When choosing an online betting site in India, you must be careful with the considerations. To make the most out of your betting platform, you must consider factors like security, bonuses, payment methods, customer service, etc.
So, let’s delve into the factors to consider when choosing the safest and best Indian online betting site:
Safety & Security
No matter how much excitement you get from their attractive offers, never compromise on security when choosing an online betting site. Always consider betting platforms with solid market reputations and offshore licenses.
Also, check whether the site leverages SSL encryption technology for personal and financial data protection or not. Then, see if the platform has a revised privacy policy in place. Finally, check the types of payment methods they offer — whether they’re safe or not.
Welcome Bonuses
After security, check the bonuses the online sportsbook offers its players. However, you must also consider the wagering requirement alongside the bonuses to see if things are profitable or not in your favour.
Consider how attractive the betting sites' welcome bonuses, promotions, and VIP programs are. The higher the bonus amount and the lower the wagering requirement, the better!
Competitive Odds
To make the most of your online bets, you must choose an online betting site offering the highest and most competitive betting odds. Enjoy the benefit of profit optimization by placing bets on a site with higher odds.
Also, look for a range of betting markets and sports to keep several options ready in hand. Leading online betting sites like Parimatch and 1xBet come with high odds and offer maximum ROI to bettors on their bets.
Live Streaming
Another on the list of considerations for the best online betting site is live streaming. Look for platforms that offer live streams of various sporting events to enjoy the thrill of winning your bets while watching the action in real time.
It will boost your betting experience and make things more fun by giving you real-time updated insights for better decision-making.
Live Betting Options
Try opting for an online betting site offering live betting markets where you can place bets on live sports and events. It will take your betting experience to a whole new level. However, your live betting platform must be simple to use and responsive, so do check its functionality.
Payment Options
If you can’t make deposits or withdrawals, how can you play? Because of this, banking methods—safe, secure, and quick deposit methods—are a key consideration when assessing the gambling sites we offer. Which methods are available for usage by Indian players is more significant than the number of deposit methods available as we want bookmakers to offer the fastest withdrawal options for players from India.
Indian Currency Acceptance
Yes, it should go without saying, but many internet bookies do not accept Rupee as payment for wagers. The option to register an account with Rupees as currency is available at every bookmaker we recommend.
Sports Betting Apps
Sports betting apps in India offer easy and widespread access to betting for a diverse range of sports enthusiasts. They significantly contribute to the digital economy and foster a community among fans. Moreover, they provide a regulated platform in a country with complex betting laws.
Types Of Sports And Events You Can Legally Bet On In India
Cricket
Without a doubt, the most popular sport in India to bet on is cricket. Many Indians find cricket more important in life than other popular sports to wager on, with a significant lead time.
Besides the IPL, among the most preferred cricket events for betting, bettors can also wager on a matchup of Indian men’s and women’s cricket leagues. So, if you’re a cricket fan and a betting enthusiast, find amusement and try your skills on events like the ICC Men’s World Cup and T20 World Cup.
Football
Although Indians are more into cricket than football, a significant portion of the Indian betting community still prefers football for placing bets.
Millions of sports lovers in this country are avid fans and followers of international football, including tournaments like the Premier League, Champions League, and La Liga. Moreover, Indian football fans also place bets on domestic football events like ISL.
Given this, most online betting sites in India now offer football as one of their major sports for bets. So, players can enjoy their favourite football games and win money simultaneously now.
Horse Racing
One of the most popular sports in India to bet on is horse racing, where bettors place bets to heighten the event’s excitement. The five “Classic” races in India are among the most widely wagered on sports events.
Online Rummy & Poker
The difference between skill-based and sheer luck in card games like rummy and poker is crucial in deciding whether or not they are lawful.
Indian courts have looked into these games and have consistently decided that they are generally allowed in the nation since they require skill and strategy. Nevertheless, while being skill-based, these games are illegal in Tamil Nadu and Telangana due to state regulations.
Fantasy Sports Betting
The legitimacy of fantasy sports websites such as Dream11 has been confirmed by multiple High Courts, including those in Punjab and Haryana, Bombay, and Rajasthan, as well as the Supreme Court.
The fact that these games are mostly skill-based and demand players to apply their knowledge and strategic thinking has been underlined. These court decisions have proven that fantasy sports games are legal and do not qualify as betting or gambling.
Responsible Gambling Tips For Indian Players
It’s crucial always to gamble sensibly if you want your gambling to be genuinely enjoyable. We ask that you set limits, use responsible gambling resources wisely, and get assistance if your betting is out of control. This is made much easier by the resources available on licensed websites.
- Don’t ever deposit amounts that you won’t be happy losing.
- If you’re just getting started, start with modest sums.
- Once your balance is restored, never ask for money to gamble on someone else.
- Set aside a specific amount of money for betting, and when that money runs out, don’t keep betting more.
- When you lose big sums of money, don’t try to win it back right away. You’ll become even more submerged.
- When placing a sports wager, consider the league scenario, the team’s trajectory, and data analysis before placing rash bets on your favourite teams.
- Most people wager either for amusement or as an escape from their dull everyday lives. Never stake all of your money. Gambling is a pastime.
- Keep the time you spend gambling and the time you spend with friends, family, and coworkers apart. Don’t put off your tasks or appointments so that you can sit and play at online casinos.
- Avoid thinking about betting all the time, and remember to take care of yourself and your family.
Also, even if you hit the lottery or make a sizable sum of money, keep going with your business. After winning large sums of money, many people give up their jobs and attempt to gamble as “professionals.” Betting should never be done as a full-time profession.
FAQs
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Steven is an editor and fact checker at BettingGuide India, an experienced iGaming content writer who has been in the industry since 2018. If you have any questions about online gambling in India, please don't hesitate to contact him.