The Best Betting Sites in India 2023

Overview of Sports Betting in India

Sports betting has been a favourite pastime in India, starting from the gambling game Ramayana and evolving until it became the online casinos and bookmakers we have today. However, not all of these sites are equally trustworthy, so we have a look at what factors they should offer and which we recommend to Indian players.

However, first, we must look at the legality of betting in India. While the Indian gambling laws for online platforms are a bit in the grey area, many bettors in India enjoy online betting sites. Below, we look at the Indian betting laws and what it means for bettors.

India Sports Gambling Laws

Gambling in India has a long history, and not all are positive. Three federal laws apply to Indian states, the first of which is The Public Gambling Act of 1867. It applies to any state that doesn’t have laws surrounding gambling. This act states that managing a gambling house or beingcaught inside is illegal. However, it should be noted that this refers to land-based establishments, and skill-based games aren’t considered gambling.

The Foreign Exchange Management Act of 1999 says that if you deposit money into an online gambling account, like when making deposits at betting sites in India, you must use Indian rupees, otherwise, it’s considered an illegal exchange. As such, bookmakers in India will only accept rupee transactions or advise bettors to use e-wallets when depositing and withdrawing.

Last is the Information Technology Act of 2000, which doesn’t specifically apply or mention gambling. However, this law allows the government to block foreign websites, which means they can block a bookmaker that isn’t following the rules.

Overall, Telangana, Maharashtra, and Andhra Pradesh have made gambling illegal. On the other hand, Sikkim is working towards introducing a regulated gambling network. Overall, horse racing is a sport that is legal across the country to bet on, and so far, no bettors have been charged with gambling illegally, as the government is more focused on the operators.

India’s Different Betting Options 

There are various betting options, by which we mean different ways you can wager on your favourite sport. Below, we look at the most common ones in India:

• Online betting sites: Web-based bookmakers are the most common, as many offshore casinos ensure they follow the correct laws and offer services to Indian bettors. It’s more convenient for many people and can be accessed in most states.
• Offline betting sites: This type of wagering refers to betting at land-based bookmakers, but brick-and-mortar casinos and gambling establishments are only available in Sikkim, Daman, and Goa. However, horse racing is available nationwide and can be found in most states.
• International betting sites: Also known as offshore betting sites, these platforms are the most common in India. While not all international sites offer platforms for Indian use, many do, but ensure they’re respectable bookies.
• Local betting sites: Sikkim is the most progressive state when it comes to approving local betting sites India bettors can access. However, these casinos are limited to Sikkim, so offshore casinos remain more popular.

Factors to Evaluate When Choosing a Bookmaker in India

While there are various online bookmakers, not all offer quality services or can be trusted. We have several factors we test and evaluate to determine whether the bookie is reliable and reputable, which we explain below.

Security Measures

The first aspect is checking the safety and security of the site. Security features should include SSL encryption, secure payment portals, firewall technologies, etc. Some even offer two-factor authentication, as it helps bettors keep their login details safe and ensure unauthorised logins don’t occur.

Another factor that makes a casino safe is using an independent testing company, like eCOGRA or iTechLabs, to test the games. These companies test and certify the game’s RNG and the casino site’s software. While RNG might not impact sports betting, it helps show the bookie takes its offering seriously and provides quality services.

The casino must be licenced by local Indian authorities or reputable offshore ones which regulate the platform. However, offshore operators must follow federal acts and other rules. Another safety measure is responsible gambling tools. These tools help bettors limit how much they can deposit, lose, or bet. It also offers session limits, reality checks, cool-off periods, and self-exclusion, ensuring bettors are safer while wagering.

User Interface and Usability

Another vital aspect of online bookies is the site layout and navigation. We expect and look for user-friendly interfaces, which means bettors can intuitively navigate the betting site and reach the various sports. Excellent ease of use will result in a platform you can access on any device, from mobile and tablet to desktop, and navigation elements.

A bookie’s usability is influenced by how the site is structured, whether it’s intuitive to navigate, and whether there are navigation elements. These navigation elements, like a sidebar, sports category buttons, filters, and more, help you access the parts of the site you’re interested in.

A factor that increases a site’s usability is if it offers a mobile app and if the web-based mobile site is as user-friendly as an app or a desktop site. We also check if a mobile app is available, whether it’s listed on the Google App or Play Store, and whether both Android and iOS users can experience it with equally good quality.

Payment Methods: Deposit and Withdrawal Options

Since you’re wagering with real money at the best betting sites India has, it’s vital to have access to popular and safe payment methods. These methods include cards, e-wallets, cryptocurrencies, and online banking. Popular methods are Visa, Mastercard, Paysafecard, PayPal, Neteller, Skrill, etc.

However, we also check if the casino offers Visa and Mastercard and whether they ensure the transactions are made in rupees. We also check if the bookie charges transaction fees and the deposit and withdrawal limits for Indian players. Most don’t charge fees; we look for these platforms to provide a better deposit and withdrawal experience.

The payment methods should have low deposit limits, high withdrawal limits, and fast payout times. You must remember that bookies can have different processing times. When adding that processing time to payout times, we consider whether the bookmaker’s processing and withdrawal times are fast.

Sports Bonuses and Promotions

One of the best aspects of online betting sites India approves is that there are various bonuses and promotions on offer. Sports bonuses generally start with the welcome bonus, which can be a first deposit or a risk-free one. First deposit offers give you a percentage of your first deposit as bonus funds, usually around 100% or more. Risk-free means your first 24 hours or wager will be risk-free, and your stake is returned after a loss.

Besides the welcome offer, there are also bonuses for existing players. Reload bonuses can offer free bets, which are bonus funds with set values. A free bet must be used on a single wager, and the amount can’t be split between different stakes.

Sports offers also provide other promotions, affecting your bet or winnings. Boost bonuses boost your winnings or odds, while early cash out helps you cash out some of your funds from a match if you think they’ll lose. We evaluate whether the offers are lucrative and whether the bonus terms, like wagering requirements and minimum deposits, are reasonable.

Customer Service

The most critical aspect is customer support. The best betting sites India approves ensure you have access to a reliable and 24/7 customer support team. The support should be available through multiple channels, like live chat, email, phone line, and social media.

If you encounter any issues while betting, customer support is your only way to contact the bookie. As such, we believe in fast responses and effective solutions and ensure the support agents deliver just that to Indian bettors. That also means we look for friendly agents to solve your problem within minutes.

Besides the customer support team, we also look for an extensive FAQ section or knowledge base. This section means you can find the answers instead of asking an agent. However, we expect the section to be well-organised; otherwise, it’s challenging to find the question and answer you’re looking for.

Popular Sports to Bet On in India

Sports have been a long-standing hobby for many people, so it’s no surprise that betting on sports has become extremely popular. The sports market in 2021 was worth around ₹95 billion, and it’s only gotten larger. Below, we look at which sports are the most popular in India.

Cricket

Cricket is the most popular sport in India, with over 95% of Indian sports lovers watching cricket in 2019. It’s been predicted that the Indian betting market, which generally consists of around 140 million Indians, will grow to 370 million people in the IPL (Indian Premier League) season, showing the popularity of the sport. Overall, 80% to 90% of betting revenue in India is thanks to cricket.

Football

After cricket, football is the next most popular sport in India. If we look at fantasy sports, where 77% play cricket, 48% play football, with the next most popular sport at 9%. Statistics show that football viewership in India increased by 3% in 2019 and 6% in 2021, which shows how many fans there are, many of these fans being bettors.

Horse Racing

This sport is the only wholly legal sport in all states, but only Mumbai, Chennai, Bangalore, and Kolkata offer nine major race tracks. However, online bookmakers also list other horse racing, like the Kentucky Derby, etc. The industry has grown in the last few years and is estimated to be worth around ₹300 crores, and many Indians love visiting the racetracks, with a possible turnover of ₹10.25 crore in the gate and betting money.

Kabaddi

Kabaddi is a local sport originating in India and Pakistan and is extremely popular with Indian bettors. The Pro Kabaddi League had 222 million viewers in 2022, a 17.5% increase from 2021. While it can’t compete with cricket, it’s a close race between it and football. However, in fantasy leagues, only 9% of Indians play kabaddi.

Tennis

Statistics show that around 40% of the Indian population are tennis lovers. Besides cricket matches, Wimbledon was the only other sports match that managed to enter the top five list of the most viewed matches in India. The northern states of India, particularly Haryana, Punjab, Uttar Pradesh, etc., love tennis, with the Indian Open also becoming more popular.

Our Top Recommended Betting Sites in India 

We’ve thoroughly checked all the best betting sites India approves, and you can enjoy finding our top five recommended platforms. Below, we give a summary of each platform’s best aspect.

• Betway India: This bookie is a highly reputable brand, ensuring Indian players have access to the latest lines and matches. It has a user-friendly site, various promotions, and offers live streams of various sports. Overall, we recommend Betway, as it’s an excellent brand, has competitive odds, and provides reliable wagering opportunities.
• 10Cric India: This bookmaker provides an excellent welcome offer of up to ₹2,500 and lists over 35 sports, fantasy sports, and e-sports. Further, the site has many navigation features and generous sports betting odds. Android players can even enjoy a mobile app with this brand.
• Parimatch India: This user-friendly site lists all the available sports on the left, and you can also see which sections have live matches currently playing. Many popular payment methods and support channels are available, from live chat and email to FAQs and social media.
• Dafabet India: Indian bettors can enjoy this platform, which partners with multiple official teams, showing its reputation. The bookmaker offers 24/7 customer support and over 28 sports and esports. Bettors can also use the excellent VIP program while they place their wagers, which awards them as they increase their VIP tiers.
• 1xBet India: This platform provides over 700 matches, with over 300 live streams on average. More than 50 sports are listed here, from the regulars like cricket and football to Marble-live sports or esports like Angry Birds or Dota.

How Do You Wager on Betting Sites in India

Now that we’ve identified the best betting sites India offers, we look at how you can register and wager on those sites. We provide step-by-step guides which you can use to sign up, deposit, and play within minutes.

Register Your Account

The first step is registering a new account by following the step-by-step guide below. You can’t place a stake at a bookmaker if you don’t have an account.

1. Click on the “Join/Register/Sign Up” button after opening the bookie’s website.
2. Create your account login by adding your email, username, and password.
3. Add your personal details, like full name, address, phone number, etc.
4. Confirm all your details, accept the welcome offer, and create your account.
5. Note that some terms and conditions might apply if you accept the welcome offer.

How to Make a Deposit and Withdrawal

After you’ve created your account, the next step is to make your first deposit and know how to withdraw. We show you exactly how you can do this below:

1. For both deposits and withdrawals, open your bookmaker cashier.
2. Select the deposit/withdraw option, depending on which action you want to complete.
3. Choose your preferred payment method, like Neteller, Visa, or Skrill.
4. Add your payment details, like the card number or e-wallet email.
5. Choose how much you want to deposit/withdraw while staying within the limits.
6. Approve the transaction, and enjoy wagering on the platform.

How to Place Your Bets 

The next step is to place your bets, and our guide below will help get you started at the betting site.

1. Navigate to the sports page of the platform.
2. Choose the sport you want to bet on by searching for it or choosing it from the sidebar.
3. Scroll down to find the match and odds you want to bet on.
4. Choose the odds and type of bet you want to make.
5. Enter the amount you want to bet, and approve the wager.

Understanding the Ins and Outs of Odds and Betting Markets

Betting sites India will have various betting markets, with the most popular being cricket, football, kabaddi, etc. These markets will have various betting lines, like outrights, moneylines, props, etc. Decide carefully which market you want to bet in and whether the odds of the market are worthwhile.

When you click on a match, you’ll see the different markets available within that match and the odds listed beside or below them. Always browse the odds to find ones that work for you. Remember that odds come in different formats, with fractional and decimal formats often used in India.

Decimal odds are read as a single number that shows the winnings when betting on one unit. So a 1.5 bet pays out 1.5x the unit you bet. Fraction shows the possible win with the stake in that order, so 7/2 odds mean that for every two units you bet, you get seven units back if it’s successful.

Sports Betting Tips and Strategies for Bettors in India

Before you start wagering on betting sites India has, we have some tips and strategies for you to consider.

Managing Your Bankroll

The first and, in our opinion, the most critical tip is to manage your bankroll effectively. Your bankroll should only consist of money that you can afford to lose, meaning it won’t hurt you financially to do without. Decide on your bankroll beforehand, and don’t exceed it. Bankroll management also means considering your bets and whether your bankroll can sustain those bets.

Using a reliable gaming tool here helps you stick to your budget, as it won’t allow you to deposit or wager more than the amount you set. Another part of managing your bankroll is knowing when to stop. Don’t chase your losses or wins, as that’s a surefire way to lose more money.

Research and Understand Betting Trends

The second step when betting is understanding the betting trends, which refers to the volume of wagers placed on a match. Generally, you can see the betting trend by looking at the odds, showing you who’s the favourite to win and the underdog.

However, ensure you know how to read all the odds and what it means when a high volume of bettors wager on a specific team. It’s also good to look at betting tips, expert predictions, and whether you can find a handicap in the betting pool, thanks to the trends.

Stay Updated on Current Sports News

Besides knowing the betting trends, you must also keep an eye on the sports news. Even if one team is a favourite to win, an unexpected injury or emergency can make that team the new underdog. Various factors can influence a match’s outcome, so keep an eye on what’s happening in the news world.

Doing your research also means looking at the performance history of the participants, their reasons for matches and wins, and analysing how you believe they’ll play in the match you’re betting on. It’s critical to bet on the right team, knowing about any possible injuries or events that might distract them.

Shop for the Best Odds

The last bit of advice we’ll give is to shop around for odds. With this, we mean finding the most valuable odds by looking at the different bookmakers and the offered odds. While bookmakers often have odds reasonably close, you might find value in another’s odds, as it could be slightly better for you.

While a slight difference in odds may not seem significant, it adds up as you bet and can make a long-term difference in how much you lose or win. So always look at the list of reliable bookmakers and check which has the best odds for each match.

Responsible Gambling Policy in India 

Gambling responsibly is vital to maintaining a healthy sports betting relationship. We want to ensure you have fun gambling, and you can only do that if you control your habits while betting. Have a look at our dedicated, responsible gambling page to see how you can help control your habits and prevent problem gambling.

Our Last Word

Many excellent betting sites India has, are available to sports fans and bettors. We looked at how we find the best bookmakers and the factors we consider. The top site will be licenced and offer various safety measures, a user-friendly interface on all devices, popular payment methods, top bonuses and promotions, and 24/7 customer support.

When you choose which bookie to sign up with, you can easily register your account, make your first deposit, place a bet, and withdraw any winnings using our step-by-step guides. Many sports betting markets and competitive odds are available, ensuring you can bet on India’s favourite sport, cricket, or even traditional ones like kabaddi.

However, before you bet, read through our tips and strategies, which will help you better manage your bankroll and make smarter bets. Lastly, always remember to gamble responsibly, as it should be done for fun and not to make an income. Various of the best betting sites India has, like Betway India or Parimatch India, are available to you and offer quality features any sports bettor will love.

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Rakesh Nadkarni

Rakesh Nadkarni is a seasoned sports bettor and an avid fan of all things related to sports. He has spent years researching and analyzing various sports betting sites and has a deep understanding of the industry. Rakesh is known for his sharp and critical eye when it comes to evaluating sports betting sites, and his reviews are widely respected within the betting community.

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