Betting Laws in India
India's gambling laws are a patchwork of colonial-era legislation and state-specific rules. The Public Gambling Act of 1867 is the central law — but it predates the internet by 130 years and doesn't explicitly address online betting.
Key points: No federal law prohibits Indian players from using offshore betting sites. The Information Technology Act doesn't specifically block gambling sites. State laws vary significantly — Goa, Sikkim, and some other states have licensed forms of gambling.
In practice: tens of millions of Indians use offshore betting sites regularly. No Indian bettor has been prosecuted for placing bets on an offshore site.
Payment Methods for Indian Bettors
The best sites for Indian players offer:
- UPI — Most popular. Instant deposits and withdrawals.
- Net Banking — Widely supported. IMPS transfers.
- Paytm / PhonePe — Some sites accept these e-wallets
- Cryptocurrency — Bitcoin, USDT — bypasses any banking restrictions
- Skrill / Neteller — International e-wallets, widely accepted
Cricket Betting in India
Cricket is India's national obsession — and the most bet-on sport by a massive margin. The IPL (Indian Premier League) generates the most betting volume of any cricket competition globally.
Best sites for cricket betting: Bet365 has the deepest cricket markets of any international site. Betway India and 10CRIC are India-focused and cover every IPL match extensively. 1xBet has the most exotic cricket markets.
Other Popular Sports in India
- Kabaddi (PKL): Uniquely Indian. Best covered by India-focused sites.
- Football: ISL, EPL, Champions League all heavily bet.
- Tennis: Growing rapidly among urban Indian bettors.
- Motorsport: F1 has a strong Indian following.