Cricket is immensely popular in India, and in addition to a big audience, there is a lot of money staked on it. According to the International Centre for Sports Security, India’s cricket betting markets are valued at least US$150 billion each year. They believe that around US$200 million is wagered on each ODI match played by the Indian side. So let’s dig deeper into this theme so that you get an idea of the legal aspect of the business. 

Recent Cricket Betting Statistics in India

According to an All India Gaming Federation research, the Indian online gaming sector is expected to be worth over Rs 90,000 crore ($12.36 billion) in 2021. They also stated that by 2025, the online cricket betting industry has the potential to expand to Rs 2.5 lakh crore ($34.3 billion). The sports betting business is estimated to provide around 40% of the revenue.

Cricket is without a doubt India’s most popular sport for betting, with the Indian Premier League (IPL) being the most popular championship. MyBetting India claimed in 2021 that cricket wagering accounts for around 80-90% of all sports betting income. Other estimates set the entire amount of bets taken on the IPL in 2020 at over Rs 50,000 crore ($6.8 billion). These figures also show the potential revenue earned by a regulated 1xbet legal online betting India.

But Is It Legal to Bet Online in India?

In India, online betting has grown significantly, with a forecast income of USD 0.82 billion in 2023. However, given the lack of clear legislation, this booming business confronts various challenges, and punters frequently wonder: is betting legal in India?

We should admit that India’s internet betting legislation is rife with uncertainty. This lack of clarity frequently deters potential bettors since they are caught in a bind. We will describe the present gambling and betting legislation in the country so that you get a full grasp of the current legal environment and to assist you in determining if online betting is permitted in your individual location.

#1 — Central Laws

The Public Gambling Act of 1867 is India’s only government legislation governing gambling. However, it was written long before online casinos and fantasy sports betting on the internet existed, and it does not explicitly state that online betting is permitted in India. 

#2 — State Laws

The Constitution’s 7th Schedule classifies gambling/betting as a state topic, allowing states to develop their own legislation to govern betting operations inside their respective borders.

As a result, a few states have passed rules governing internet gambling in recent years. Here are some major findings:

• Offline casinos are permitted in the states of Goa, Daman, and Sikkim. However, they are illegal anywhere else.
• Domestic online casinos are lawful in Sikkim and Meghalaya if they have relevant licenses.
• Domestic online casinos are prohibited in the rest of the country.

If you decide to make bets online and are looking for a cricket betting line, then we strongly recommend that you go for licensed and trusted online gambling establishments. 

#3 — The Reserve Bank

To handle internet betting within India, the Reserve Bank of India created FDI laws to govern the flow of money from Indian enterprises engaged in betting, lotteries, and gaming operations. These laws, however, do not normally apply to offshore betting sites. To summarize, like with central regulations, there is no clear RBI policy that declares unequivocally that internet betting is not authorized in India.

A Quick Summary

This is an encompassing picture of certain Indian states where internet gambling is permitted and those where it is not as of the day of publication. Domestic internet casinos are lawful in Sikkim and Meghalaya if they are licensed by their local governments. Kerala, Delhi, Nagaland, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Gujarat, and Rajasthan are among the states that have enacted legislation and regulations in support of internet gaming. Tamil Nadu and Telangana are the only states where internet gambling is explicitly prohibited.  I matter what state you reside in, it is important that you do it smartly and play at reputable gambling sites only.