Sports betting in India is somewhat of a grey area with no actual regulation or legal framework. So, what does this mean? How do I know which betting sites are legal in India? In this article, we’ll explain how to identify legitimate sites and avoid scam betting platforms. There will be a few surprises which you wouldn’t expect.
With hundreds of different sports betting sites accepting players from India, it can be tricky to know which ones are real or fake. To get you started, we’ve researched, tested, and compared India’s top betting sites and narrowed down our top 14 picks for you:
Top Legal Bookmakers in India for IPL Betting
Deposit methods
1xBet license
Curaçao eGaming
Mobile apps
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Parimatch license
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Parimatch Betting Bonus
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Deposit methods
Dafabet license
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Dafabet Betting Bonus
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Deposit methods
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Curaçao eGaming
Mobile apps
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Deposit methods
Stake license
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Mobile apps
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Deposit methods
Megapari license
Curaçao eGaming
Mobile apps
Megapari Betting Bonus
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Deposit methods
Fun88 license
Curaçao eGaming
Mobile apps
Fun88 Betting Bonus
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Deposit methods
LeonBet license
Curaçao eGaming
Mobile apps
LeonBet Betting Bonus
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Deposit methods
4rabet license
Curaçao eGaming
Mobile apps
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Deposit methods
Pin-Up license
Curaçao eGaming
Mobile apps
Pin-Up Betting Bonus
120% up to ₹4,50,000
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Deposit methods
MostBet license
Curaçao eGaming
Mobile apps
MostBet Betting Bonus
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Deposit methods
1Win license
Curaçao eGaming
Mobile apps
1Win Betting Bonus
500% up to INR 80,400
Use 1Win promo code: INDIAWIN24
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Is Online Betting Legal in India?
Online Betting falls into a grey area from a legal standpoint, as India has no Federal regulation or legal framework. Some refer to The Public Gambling Act (PGA) of 1867, which outlawed the vast majority of land-based gambling across India.
The Public Gambling Act came into force in 1867. Since then, no changes have been made to this Act. The Act only mentions restrictions on the establishment and usage of offline casinos, aka land-based casinos.
It doesn’t mention anything about online gambling since there was no internet or online betting industry back then in 1867. Taking advantage of this loophole, many Indians are already exploring the online betting industry in India legally.
Data Credits: Statista
In fact, according to the stats provided by Statista , the number of online sports betting users in India is expected to grow to 18.9 million by 2029.
As you can see, there is no central law that bans online betting in India. So, you can also check out and bet on your favourite sports responsibly on some of the top online sports betting in India .
The PGA, does, however, make an exception in favor of games of skill, of which Sports Betting and Fantasy Sports (like Dream11) are categorised. This is supported by the Indian Supreme Court.
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Is Betting Banned in India?
No, betting is not banned by the Government of India. The Central Government of India levied a 28% GST on the online betting site income in 2023. This simply shows the Government is looking to regulate and profit from online betting rather than banning it altogether.
Data Credits: ENV Media
In India, betting is both a central and state subject. This means the Central Government can definitely bring in laws to regulate betting. However, even states are allowed to craft laws to decide how to regulate betting in their respective regions.
So, while there is no Federal law, some States have criminalised all forms of gambling, regardless of whether they are categorised as a game of skill or a game of chance. The States that have elected to ban gambling are Andhra Pradesh , Telangana, Assam, Nagaland, Odisha, Sikkim and Tamil Nadu.
Despite the banning, Telangana is one of the few states with the highest number of online bettors in India. The numbers have surely increased during the lockdown.
There are also Indian states that have legalized online betting and gambling in their regions. The states of Sikkim, Goa, Daman, and Diu host betting legally in India.
However, regardless of the State law, you can still access each of the top 10 betting sites that we have listed within each of these States. So even if they are technically banned, they are still accessible in reality.
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Has the Government Banned Betting Sites in India?
In December 2023, The Ministry of Technology and IT (Meity) issued a blocking order against over 170 offshore betting sites that are not registered in India, nor paying local taxes. This was after the government introduced a 28% tax levy on wagers aimed at online gaming companies.
Some offshore betting sites, like Betway and Bet365, have since withdrawn from the market as a result. Alternative sites with international licenses like 1xBet, Parimatch, and Dafabet have continued to operate. Betting sites that hold a valid International Gaming licence, are still accessible in India.
How do you know if a Betting Site is Legal?
It’s not always obvious to know whether the betting site is legal unless you are told how to find out. And that’s exactly what we’ll do. To check, scroll down to the bottom of the bookmaker website.
If they are legal, you’ll be able to see who the licensing regulator is and the company information, as shown in the example below. Those that don’t have a license will forgo this.
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How to Identify Safe Betting Sites in India?
The safe betting sites in India are always licensed platforms. The bookmakers that are licensed by the reputed licensing authorities are the ones that you can register to gamble online safely.
Our team has suggested some of the top betting sites in India that are licensed and safe to use. Check out the top list above to register and safe bet online.
Why Choose a Licensed Betting Site?
There are many advantages to choosing a licensed betting site. Here are the prominent ones:
- The licensing authorities set rules to ensure a safer gambling environment for the bettors. The bookmakers must follow all these regulations and ensure proper gambling business for its users.
- The licensing authorities act as middlemen if any issue arises between the bettor and the bookmaker. You can write to the licensing authority and ask for justice in case any injustice has happened to you while betting online.
- The betting platforms are required to secure and safeguard any personal or financial information the bettors provide on the betting sites. This is among the rules of the licensing authorities.
- The licensed bookmakers must provide reliable bonuses, valid casino games, valid sports betting opportunities, and timely withdrawals.
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Top Licensing Authorities in the Online Betting Industry
Here are some of the prominent and top licensing authorities in the online betting industry. However, these are not the only regulating bodies and may vary depending on the region or country.
Malta Gaming Authority (MGA) : MGA regulates various gaming sectors to make sure the betting is fair and transparent. Its mission is to protect minor and vulnerable bettors from unethical online gambling practices. It is currently one of the best licensing bodies in the industry.
United Kingdom Gambling Commission (UKGC) : UKGC is the independent regulatory body responsible for the protection of the consumers of the online betting industry. It ensures that gambling is crime-free and fair to all the bettors. It also assures that minors are protected and fines the bookmakers that breach the licensing conditions.
Curacao eGaming License : Many of the best cricket betting sites in India are licensed by Curacao eGaming. It currently licenses several bookmaker sites allowing them to operate legally and provide online betting services fairly and transparently.
Cyprus Gaming Commission : The Cyprus Gaming and Casino Supervision Commission is responsible for regulating casino gambling, sports betting, lotteries, and horse racing in the Cyprus region. It regards and regulates both online and offline betting to ensure legalized and safe betting.
Kahnawake Gaming Commission : The Commission protects the online bettors on the gaming platforms it has licensed. Its principles ensure that online gaming is conducted responsibly and is fair and honest.
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What are third-party testing Agencies in the Online Betting Industry?
Apart from licenses, the legit betting platforms also allow third-party testing agencies to verify their betting contents. This is done to check if the site is rigged or not.
If it’s not rigged and reliable, these third-party agencies provide a certificate of assurance to the betting site. Scroll down at the end of the betting site page to find the licensing info and certificate.
Some of the popular and fair third-party testing agencies include:
- eCOGRA
- Gaming Labs International
- iTech Labs
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What is a Responsible Gambling Program?
Responsible Gambling program is an initiative to ensure safer and responsible gambling online. This initiative is adopted by all the legal betting sites in India and assures assistance for bettors who are either addicted or on the verge of becoming online gambling addicts.
It includes different initiatives to address and prevent or provide assistance in case of over-betting online. This includes:
- Protection of Minors or Underage Gambling : This is to ascertain children under the age of 18 years or the legal age of gambling cannot register at the betting site. Bookmakers strictly mention this under their terms and conditions of usage. They also ask for the verification of gamblers’ age by providing Government-issued ID cards.
- Gaming Addiction : The legal gambling sites in India promote online betting in a regulated manner. They encourage users to consider gambling as a fun and recreational activity and not a means of income. Accordingly, they ask bettors to gamble online moderately and not overdo it.
- Limit Setting Tools : If you think your gambling sessions are going overboard, you can opt for Limit Setting Tools by contacting customer support at the respective bookie platform. These tools come with Deposit limits, Spend limits, each Session Time limit, etc.
- Self-Exclusion : Self-exclusion is best for bettors who are obsessed with gambling online and are losing money. You can opt for the self-exclusion option, which allows you to block your betting account by requesting customer support. This way, you will not be able to access your betting account, deposit, wager or even create a new gambling account on the respective bookmaker site.
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How we Review Legal Betting Sites in India
What makes a betting site feature on this list varies. The main factor here is bettor preference! Some may seek the best odds, while others prioritize a great mobile app or the availability of games, betting bonuses on popular leagues, cashback offers, etc.
Irrespective of all the betting features, legality should be the primary factor when considering the best betting sites. To simplify your choice, here are some major factors we consider in our comparison of the best online betting sites for Indian players:
Legal and Licenced
Ensure that the betting site holds a complete license and operates under the regulation of the relevant Gambling Commission. This consideration becomes crucial in markets where the legalization of online sports betting is a recent development and demands careful attention.
Welcome Bonus on Registration
For many, bonuses are a significant consideration, especially welcome bonuses, reload bonuses, cashbacks, rebates, and promotions. While a substantial welcome bonus is appealing, it’s essential to follow its terms and conditions.
Bonuses linked to cricket betting are specifically designed for the Indian market, indicating that the bookmaker prioritizes Indian customers. This attentiveness is a positive sign that influences the bookmaker’s rankings.
Payment Terms
Bettors might feel betting is a challenge without secure and quick deposit and withdrawal options. Therefore, banking methods play a crucial role in evaluating our featured bookmakers.
We prioritize safe, secure, and swift deposit methods. While the quantity of deposit methods matters, the key focus is on which methods are accessible to Indian players. The inclusion of digital wallets and crypto with traditional methods makes any bookie more attractive to bettors.
Usability
Each bettor desires a swift, user-friendly platform. The ideal site should allow you to effortlessly locate the events you’re interested in, explore deposit options, and place bets in seconds. Hence, factors such as site layout, speed, and the usability of a bookmaker are significant.
App Quality
For a top betting site, the availability of a betting app must play an important role. Most of the reputed betting sites offer this app feature in both iOS and Android versions. The app interface has to be user-friendly, easy to navigate and flexible to use.
These apps are mostly free to download and install on your mobile devices securely without any hassle. All the betting transactions, placing bets, live streaming, and live betting options must be accessible via these best betting apps.
Cricket Betting Experience
If your primary interest is sports betting, focus on platforms that excel in this domain, especially Cricket betting in India. Narrow down your choices based on the specific sports you’re inclined to bet on.
Your decision should be influenced by the fact that various sites prioritize Cricket. This choice is likely to offer better coverage, odds, tips, and Cricket betting events on popular leagues and tournaments.
Customer Support
Select a sports betting company with excellent customer support, offering multiple communication channels like email, phone, and live chat. Ensure their customer service operates 24/7 to assist with any concerns.
Trust
When you engage in financial transactions for betting, depositing real money, and sharing personal information, it’s crucial to do so with someone trustworthy.
While there are numerous Indian betting sites, you need to be on the lookout for those that will take your hard-earned cash and run. That’s why we’ve created a list of online bookmakers in India that you can trust.
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How to Choose a Betting Site in India?
Choosing a reliable and trustworthy sports betting site is crucial for a positive betting experience. However, with a lot of options available, it can be challenging to figure out which one is best for you. Also, each bettor’s preference differs from the others on matters like betting bonuses, sports events, Casino games, app versions, live streaming, and many more.
While each sportsbook may have unique features, certain factors, such as banking options, customer service, and website security, consistently impact their performance. Our reason for jumping right into this is not just to make your work in finding the best online sportsbook for your needs easier but also to ensure you have a safe landing.
Best Betting Site Welcome Bonus
Encouraging new users to join a specific betting site and boost their betting funds is the primary purpose of a welcome bonus. In India, there are various betting sites that offer attractive welcome bonuses for Sports and Casinos.
In this guide, we’ll walk you through some of the top betting offers in India, discuss various types of sports betting welcome bonuses, and assist you in selecting the best offers from betting sites depending on your choice.
1xBet Bonus: 33,000 INR
1xBet India presents an incredible sports welcome bonus with a maximum of INR 33,000, requiring just a minimum deposit of 85 INR. The bonus stays active for 30 days before it expires!
After successfully making the 1xBet registration and making the deposit, the bonus is yours to enjoy. To meet the requirements, your bet should have odds of 1.4 or higher, and you must wager the bonus amount 3x.
Parimatch Bonus: 20,000 INR
Parimatch India has an exciting sports offer for sports betting enthusiasts. Upon your initial deposit, this bookmaker doubles it by 100%, extending up to ₹20,000. All the new bettors on the platform can take part in this promotion.
To fully unlock the bonus, you need to place bets equivalent to 16 times the bonus amount on single bets with odds of 1.90 or higher. This offer adds significant value to your sports betting experience with Parimatch Sports.
1Win Bonus: 80,400 INR
With 1win India , users can get an opportunity to claim an 80,400 INR welcome bonus. Upon making your initial 4 deposits, you unlock additional bonuses for both sports betting and casino games.
The bonuses are credited automatically, with
- 200% of the 1st deposit amount,
- 150% of the 2nd deposit amount,
- 100% of the 3rd deposit amount, and
- 50% of the 4th deposit amount.
If your sports bet results as a win, enjoy an extra +5% of the bet amount added to your winnings.
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