Sport betting sites in India: Pros and Cons
- Wide variety of betting markets
- Place bets from your mobile
- Live streaming and in-play betting available
- Bonuses and loyalty programmes
- Legal situation under constant review
An overview of
sport betting sites in India
Let me start by saying that it’s generally possible to register and bet at an online sportsbook throughout most of India. Not only is online betting widely available, but it’s becoming increasingly popular too, with statistics indicating there will likely be well 18 million users by 2028.
Not surprisingly, cricket is the main sport of interest, with football also attracting plenty of attention. It’s fairly standard for around 140 million Indian sports fans to place bets throughout most of the year, but this increases up to 340 million for the IPL and World Cup football matches. Thanks to an increase in televised events and fixtures from around the world there’s also a growing interest in basketball and tennis too.
Thanks to all the advances in technology, it’s now possible to follow the action in real-time on your mobile and place bets to take advantage of events as they unfold before your eyes. As sport betting sites in India improve and enhance their features, sports fans are increasingly keen to explore opportunities for online wagering.
Are
sports betting sites in India
legal?
Now here’s where it gets confusing, so you’ll have to bear with me. Gambling is not legal according to the Public Gambling Act of 1867. However, a law created back in the 19th century couldn’t possibly take into account the possibility of online betting in the future, so there’s nothing to prohibit virtual wagering platforms.
The legal situation concerning India sport betting sites is constantly changing
The Information Technology Act set out in 2000 failed to mention gambling at all, so there’s no direction to be had there. And since every state is allowed to make its own regulations, the situation is complex and ever changing too. So although online gambling is legally permitted in Goa, Sikkim and Daman, the activity was specifically banned in Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh in 2020.
Maharashtra has been demonstrating the different directions in which legislation can move. Having expressly forbidden all forms of online gambling, a major about-turn is underway. It’s due in no small part to the recognition that, since bettors are always going to find a way to participate, it’s better to claim some of the tax revenues that are currently flowing away from India.
Punitive taxes make the situation more complex
Perhaps ironically, it’s the desire to claim some of the profits attached to legalising online gambling that has led to a number of platforms withdrawing their services from Indian markets. A couple of the best betting sites in India have decided to cease operations on the back of taxes as high as 28%.
The ongoing changes to
India gambling
laws and regulations makes it almost impossible to come up with any long-standing India betting sites list. So you’ll find the banners on this page will always reflect the current opportunities available, although you’ll still need to check out the specific rules that apply in your state.
How to choose a safe and reliable
sport betting site in India
For as long as the legal situation regarding online betting sites remains fragmented through the various states, there’s no official regulatory body to oversee your online wagering experience. That makes it more important than ever to choose wisely when selecting a platform. To make your life easier, you’ll find extensive reviews for all of the very best betting sites India currently has to offer, every single one of which you’ll find highlighted on this page.
The GameChampions.com review process is carefully designed to uncover the true and unvarnished facts about each and every platform. It’s not just a matter of showing you the good points – these reviews dig deep to ensure you get the full picture, including potential pitfalls you need to be aware of. That means you only need to skim through the options to create a shortlist of your favourites, before picking out one or more that you think could be the best fit for you.
Great betting bonuses for Indian players
1.
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2.
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3.
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A secure and regulated sports betting experience
With no regulatory body to take charge of the legal aspects of online sports betting in India, it’s particularly important to check for an up-to-date licence issued by a regulator known to uphold strict standards. Data security and high-level encryption also needs to be in place to prevent your personal and financial information from falling into the wrong hands. These are checks you won’t need to carry out for yourself, as they’re all fully covered by the reviews here at GameChampions.com.
How would you like to fund your betting account?
It’s not always easy to track down an online betting site that offers the chance to deposit and withdraw in rupees, but you’ll find the best of them right here on this page. There are also options for depositing in other currencies too – including cryptocurrencies in some cases.
There can sometimes be a few difficulties when making online payments at gambling sites, and you may find your bank or card provider refuses to process such transactions. The situation varies according to where you live, but the India sport betting sites listed on this page all offer a selection of payment options, examples of which you’ll find in the following table.
| Bank transfer | UPI, IMPS. INB |
| Card payments | Mastercard, Visa |
| eWallets | Neteller, Skrill, PayPal |
| Mobile payments | PhonePe, Paytm |
| Cryptocurrencies | Bitcoin, Ethereum, Litecoin |
Minimum deposits vary and are often set by the financial service providers, rather than the betting sites themselves. The average tends to be around Rs 350 – Rs 500, although this can lower dramatically in the case of crypto deposits.
Some betting sites also provide an option for using prepaid cards and even vouchers that can be purchased in retail shops, which is an option favoured by significant numbers of Indian sports betting fans.
What’s your preference in terms of sports, betting markets and odds?
Naturally all the best betting sites in India make a point of including international cricket matches, with a particular surge of interest around the IPL. But as I touched on previously, India is opening up to the potential for betting on all sorts of other sports too, with options available covering everything from alpine skiing to waterpolo.
Bets can be as easy or as complicated as you could wish for, from single moneylines to complex parlays – and many sportsbooks will even guide you through the various options, making them particularly good options for beginners. In terms of odds, it’s always a case of looking around to compare what’s available. Most platforms make sure to offer extremely favourable odds around the time of major events, but it’s always worth looking at a few sportsbooks to see which one offers the most competitive odds on the particular sports you’re most interested in.
Are you a seasoned pro or a newbie bettor?
If you already know your way around an online betting site and you’re not phased by filling out your betting slip, you can probably take your pick from any of the sports betting sites highlighted on this page. If you’re less confident, or perhaps just starting out with your first sports bet, you’re going to need a little more help.
Online sportsbooks available in India vary widely in the way they present their sports and betting markets. The reviews here at GameChampions always highlight the type of user experience to expect, so you’ll easily be able to identify platforms that can ease you gently into the sports betting world.
Do you want to follow the action in real time?
Live streaming and in-play betting are big attractions for sports betting fans across India, and once again you can rely on the reviews on this site to give you the full facts. There’s information about the best
betting apps for India
sports fans too, so you can decide exactly how and where you log in to place your bets.
What about those times when you need a helping hand?
Online sportsbooks are exceptionally convenient, but since technology is involved, it’s reasonable to expect that there might be occasional issues. And whether it’s information about the wagering requirements of a bonus, or a query about making a withdrawal, you’re probably going to have a few questions from time to time. The GameChampions.com reviews let you know what level of support to expect, as well as operating hours, so you know exactly how and when you can reach out for some one-to-one help.
Would you like to be rewarded for being a loyal customer?
The best sportsbooks in India always make sure there are added benefits for loyal customers, from odds boosts to loyalty and VIP programmes. And if you’re hoping to come across a few
betting sites with welcome bonuses in India
you’ll certainly find a huge selection of offers to choose from – with the full details highlighted in the guides and reviews on this site.
Check out the
top India betting sites
I think we can all agree that online betting sites aren’t going to disappear anytime soon. The ongoing reliance on the internet as a source of entertainment, combined with rapid economic growth across India has created a flood of interest in online gaming possibilities, including sports betting.
With
new India betting sites
launching on the market, and a few familiar brands disappearing off the radar, there’s no point in trying to seek out a permanent definitive bookmaker list for India sports betting fans. Instead, the banners on this page show you exactly which safe and trustworthy platforms are available right now – and occasionally with an exclusive promo code to help extend the reach of your initial deposit into your new account. Keep checking back regularly to find out which are the current best betting sites in India.
The best betting sites for Indian sports fans
1.
Get up to 33 Free SC + 7K Gold Coins
Players from United States of America accepted
2.
Spend $50, Get up to $100 in Fliff Coins
+ Get up to $5 Per Day
Players from United States of America accepted
3.
Sign up for 3 SC + 500 Gold Coins FREE and 50% extra on your First Purchase!
Players from United States of America accepted
4.
Get up to 10 SC FREE + 220,000 Gold Coins
Players from United States of America accepted
5.
100% match up to $25 in Coins + $3 Free Coins
Players from United States of America accepted
Best India betting sites
FAQ
🤔 Which is the best betting site in India?
I’m reluctant to suggest any specific platform could be the perfect option for every bettor, and with the legal position constantly under review the situation is dynamic. So I regularly pick out the best betting sites in India and use banners to highlight the latest offers too. It’s easy to compare reviews and check out the platform that’s the best fit for your needs.
⚖️ Is it legal to sign up to sport betting sites in India?
There’s no easy answer to that question, as each state decides what’s permitted and what isn’t. My guide here at GameChampions.com explores the situation, as well as documenting the essential points to watch out for when considering your options. Whether you want to place a bet on an IPL match, or you’d like to try
betting on eSports, you’ll find everything you need to know right here.
🔒 How do I know which are safe and legit sport betting sites in India?
That’s easy – just cast your eyes over the banners on this page at GameChampions.com, which is regularly updated to highlight the top 20 betting sites in India based on factors including licences and security protocols, user experience, customer support, payment methods and even the quality of the bonus offers. There are a few exclusive promo codes to look out for too, which could add an extra element of entertainment to your wagering experience.
