India
Author: Niklas Eriksen
Last Updated: 20 November, 2024
Since federal laws do not prohibit online sports betting or gambling in India, several sportsbooks have used the opportunity to offer sports betting apps in the country. Therefore, Indians have quite a good selection of mobile apps to place some sports wagers online.
🇮🇳 Legal sports betting apps in India:
18+. New customers only. T&Cs apply. Please gamble responsibly.
18+. New customers only. T&Cs apply. Please gamble responsibly.
18+. New customers only. T&Cs apply. Please gamble responsibly.
18+. New customers only. T&Cs apply. Please gamble responsibly.
18+. New customers only. T&Cs apply. Please gamble responsibly.
18+. New customers only. T&Cs apply. Please gamble responsibly.
18+. New customers only. T&Cs apply. Please gamble responsibly.
18+. New customers only. T&Cs apply. Please gamble responsibly.
18+. To complete rollover requirements, bonus has to be wagered 6 times using singles with odds 2.00 or multi-bets with odds of 1.50 or higher per selection. Minimum deposit is 500 INR.
18+. New customers only. T&Cs apply. Please gamble responsibly.
18+. New customers only. T&Cs apply. Please gamble responsibly.
18+. New customers only. T&Cs apply. Please gamble responsibly.
18+ | T&C Apply | Please gamble responsibly.
18+. T&C Apply. Gamble Responsibly.
18+. T&Cs apply. Gamble Responsibly.
18+. New customers only. INR players making their first deposit on Dafa Sports can claim a 160% bonus up to INR 16,000 with a 15x wagering requirement (deposit + bonus) on odds of 1.50 or higher. Alternatively, a 50% bonus up to INR 30,000 is available with a 10x wagering requirement (deposit + bonus) on the same minimum odds.
18+. New Customers only. Minimum deposit is 500 INR. Bonus must wagered 6 times with odds of 2.00 or higher. In additon possibility to wager with multi-bets with odds of 1.5 per selection.
Online sports betting in India - Legal almost nation-wide
The whole gambling industry has come a long way in India. Before the introduction of online sports betting, Indians could only enjoy in-person wagering on horse races and lottery games. Initially, horse racing was categorized as a skill game; hence, it was legal and regulated by state governments. After some time, the Indian government gradually began embracing the impact of sports betting, and they realized that the industry could raise revenues and contribute to the country's economic growth.
But even with all the embracing, the legality of sports gambling in the country is still debatable since the government has not yet implemented proper regulations. Therefore, the whole online sports betting market is in a sort of limbo. However, even though the ancient gambling laws in the country, such as the Public Gambling Act of 1867, declare almost all gambling illegal, these laws do not mention online wagering in any form.
Just to add some more confusion to the matter, different Indian states have their own sets of laws regarding gambling and betting. So, even though there are no federal laws to prohibit online gambling, some states, namely Telangana and Andhra Pradesh, have set up legislation to ban all online gambling from the locals.
But in a nutshell, even though the sports betting industry isn't yet adequately regulated in the country, there are many different online sportsbooks for Indians to choose from, just as long as you are not resident in a state that strictly prohibits such activity.
India's government has, however, taken some steps lately to improve the regulatory field of online gambling. In January 2023, the government introduced new regulations to govern online gambling, creating self-regulatory bodies to supervise the industry. However, despite this update, there's still a long way to go before India has clear-cut sports gambling legislation.
Sports betting legislation in India
| Is online sports betting legal in India? | Yes (restricted) |
| Is in-person sports betting legal? | No |
| Is daily fantasy sports legal? | Yes |
| Is horse racing betting legal? | Yes |
| Is political betting legal? | Yes |
| Is eSports betting legal? | Yes |
| How many legal sports betting apps are there in India? | 30+ |
| Legal age for sports betting in India? | 18+ (21+ for retail casinos in Goa) |
| India's tax rate for betting/gambling winnings | 30% (For winnings over ₹10,000) |
| Who regulates sports betting in India? | Each states' governments |
As the Indian government has not adopted any licensing system regarding the online sports betting sector, the sportsbooks can not physically operate within the country's borders. However, the current IND gambling legislation, apart from the states of Telangana and Andhra Pradesh, doesn't prohibit offshore sportsbooks or gambling sites from accepting Indians as customers or Indians from placing wagers on such platforms.
Luckily for the Indians, multiple online sportsbooks operate with proper offshore licenses, such as those obtained from the Malta Gaming Authority or The Curaçao Gaming Control Board, which accept bets from India. As the current legislation doesn't restrict these offshore sportsbooks from offering specific betting markets, basically all forms of online sports betting are available for Indians, including eSports and fantasy sports.
Horse racing is also a major sport in India, and the first racecourse was established in the country all the way back in 1777. Therefore, it's no surprise that horse race betting is a very popular avenue of entertainment in India.
Recent updates from the Indian sports betting scene
September 10, 2024: India's GST Council will maintain the 28% turnover tax on online gambling, casinos, and horse race betting, implemented in October 2023. Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman reported a 412% surge in online gambling revenue, reaching ₹6,909 Crore ($823m) between November and April.
August 8, 2024: India may soon allow 100% Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) for real-money gaming companies via an automatic route, easing the impact of the recent 28% GST. This measure will enable skill-based gaming startups to raise foreign capital without official approval, boosting the sector. However, it won't apply to games of chance like online casinos and sports betting.
July 25, 2024: The 2024 Summer Olympics begin in Paris, and the Indian contingent consists of 110 competitors spread around in 16 different sports. Table tennis player Sharath Kamal and badminton player P. V. Sindhu were named the Indian flag-bearers at the Olympics opening ceremony.
May 26, 2024: Kolkata Knight Riders claims its third IPL championship title by beating Sunrisers Hyderabad in the 2024 Indian Premier League final by eight wickets. Mitchell Starc from Kolkata Knight Riders was selected as the player of the match, and his teammate, Sunil Narine, claimed the MVP honor for the third time in his career.
May 9, 2024: A crypto betting operator, Stake.com's hefty investments in the Indian sports betting market seem to be paying off big time, as the local bettors have reportedly wagered a total of $100 million on Indian Premier League alone on the Stake's sportsbook platform.
All legal gambling options in India
| Are online casinos legal in India? | Yes |
| Are retail casinos legal? | Yes |
| Are social casinos legal? | Yes |
| Is online poker legal? | Yes |
| Is the lottery legal? | Yes |
Even though the federal laws have not explicitly forbid online casino gambling, only a handful of Indian states, namely Goa, Daman, and Sikkim, have properly legalized such activity. However, thus far, there are no reports of Indian players having faced prosecution for online gambling. Having said this, if you want to play it safe, you should only access online casinos and other Internet gambling platforms from the aforementioned Indian states.
Earlier, Indian gambling law controlled all physical casinos that offered sports bets such as horse racing and lotteries. Today, land-based and online casinos operate legally under the Public Gambling Act of 1976 in Sikkim, Goa, Nagaland, and Daman, all of which have incorporated more games and modern gaming techniques into their systems.
Online poker is permitted in India, as it is viewed more as a game of skill, like sports betting, than a game of change. In addition to this, a total of 13 Indian states offer legal lottery.
Other gambling-related news & stories from India
October 24, 2024: A Digital India Foundation report highlights growing money laundering risks in online gambling, urging stricter regulations to protect the digital economy. Offshore betting sites and in-game currencies are linked to laundering and terror financing, with the illegal gambling market estimated at over $100 billion annually.
October 24, 2024: India's Ministry of Information and Broadcasting is targeting social media influencers promoting illegal gambling, holding them accountable for violating Indian law as part of efforts to curb the black market.
September 13, 2024: Nazara Technologies has acquired a 47.7% stake in Moonshine Technology, the operator of PokerBaazi, for ₹832 Crore ($99.2m). PokerBaazi, with 340,000 monthly active users, accounts for 85% of Moonshine's revenue, while its SportsBaazi fantasy platform contributes 12%.
August 7, 2024: India reportedly considers allowing 100% Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) in real-money gaming via an automatic route, enabling full business-value investments without official approval. The move could support the struggling sector, recently impacted by a 28% GST.
July 9, 2024: With 10 million registered users and a Unity-based tech stack, Passion Gaming is set to scale further in the Indian market despite concerns over the 28% tax. Co-founders emphasized their commitment to sustainability and a vision for growth, aiming for 100 million users in the next three years.
India - Some commonly asked questions (FAQ)
What is the legal status of sports betting in India in 2024?
Only two Indian states, Telangana and Andhra Pradesh, prohibit all online gambling in 2024. As other parts of India still have limited gambling-related regulations, wagering on online sports betting apps and sites is perfectly legal.
How much money do Indian bettors spend on gambling yearly?
According to the Think Change Forum, Indians spend $100bn yearly on wagering at offshore betting apps and sites alone. When the legal operators are added to the mix, it's clear to see how lucrative the Indian gambling market truly is.
What sports do Indians bet on the most?
Cricket is the most followed and played sport in India; thus, it's also a popular wagering choice for all local bettors. Around $200M is wagered on each one-day international match alone, and over 80% of India's betting revenues come from this sport.
Who are the highest-earning sports stars in India?
Cricket is also the highest-paying sport in India, and all the richest Indian sports stars are cricketers. Sachin Tendulkar tops this list with around $165M net worth and $6M yearly endorsement earnings despite retiring in 2013.
