Betting in India

Though betting and gambling in India are currently illegal unless playing in specific states, online betting in India still remains relatively unregulated. Being able to access various international betting and gaming sites has enabled Indian players to enjoy a wider variety of games and sports betting options. Sports betting has long been a popular past time in India, be it betting on teen patti, cricket or any other game. With improved technology though, it is becoming even easier for Indian players to access a whole range of betting apps, sites and sports. Some of these are even tailoring their services to the Indian market, offering the option to deposit in rupees, get bonuses, Hindi translations and Indian-specific sports and events.

Finding the best online betting in India

With the rising number of betting sites available to Indians, it can become a problem to know which sites a player should use. There are some aspects that players should consider when checking out a new betting site. For instance, players should always check whether the site is licensed in order to ensure player safety and security. While India does not yet regulate or license online betting sites, there are two notable jurisdictions – the MGA and the UKGC – that do license sites available to Indian players. Having these licensors on a casino site indicates that player security is a priority. It’s also a good idea for players to check out the deposit and withdrawal options open to them. While there are a number of casinos that accept Indian players, some, but not all, will allow payments in rupees. It’s therefore a good idea to check out the currency options, as depositing in rupees will reduce conversion fees, giving players a chance to get more of their winnings when coming to withdraw them.

Bonuses for betting in India

Following on from the payment options, players should also look to see if there are bonuses available to Indian players at their chosen casino. Again, some casinos will offer players bonuses in other currencies, but this can be problematic in the long run when it comes to receiving winnings. There are a number of betting sites now that do offer rupee-specific bonuses that cater directly to Indian players. These tend to be along the lines of a match deposit welcome bonus, where new players who make a deposit will see their deposited cash matched up to a specific percentage. This is where it becomes important to compare deals as some casinos might match 100%, others less, and others more. It’s a good idea to look at the amount that the bonus will be matched to as well, with some betting sites offering a match up to 5000 INR, while others will go all the way up to 30,000 INR. We also recommend checking out the wagering requirements – how many times players will have to play through their winnings before they can make a withdrawal.

Sports options when betting in India

The final aspect to think about when betting online is what sporting events are available. Many online sportsbooks will offer a wide range of sporting events, but these usually tend to be western options such as football, horse racing, basketball and the like. However, more and more there are betting sites popping up that are offering Indian-centric sports. Of course, cricket, one of the most popular sports in India, is also popular on a global scale, particularly with England, Australia and New Zealand. This is usually available on most sports betting sites, but it’s worth delving deeper to see if the site is also offering Indian cricket leagues, such as the hugely popular IPL, in their markets. While football is available, it often focuses on western events, though some sites will now offer the Indian Super League option too. Kabbadi is also now becoming more available on betting sites available to Indians, often featuring the Pro Kabaddi League as an option, making it perfect for Indian players to place a bet on.

Final thoughts on betting in India

With the online betting world going largely unregulated, betting online is becoming a popular pastime in India. At this time it is not illegal, though most of the online sites are not situated on Indian grounds and can therefore not break any rules. Most betting sites are situated in Europe and licensed by the appropriate jurisdictions for that area. As the Indian market continues to grow, there are talks that betting will be made legal within the country, but until then, Indian players can enjoy the ever-growing number of casino sites available to them. As more and more sites open to Indian players, the choices are simply expanding. However, the dangers of online betting are still there, which is why we recommend Indian players take the suggestions outlined by us when choosing a site to play at. With rupees, bonuses, free bets and a range of Indian sports at their fingertips, Indian players can enjoy a wealth of exciting betting options, and make a little extra while doing so.