Online betting has become popular all over the world, especially in India. After all, who doesn’t like the thrill of watching a big game and making wagers? These days, there’s a variety of sports you can make bets on via online betting, so whether you’re a fan of tennis, cricket, or more, you’ll definitely find a sport you enjoy.
There used to be a lot of confusion regarding the rules and regulations of online betting in India. But these days, it’s clearer than ever that individuals enjoy heading to betting sites and making their wagers on their favorite sports or teams. In fact, https://casinojungli.com/online-betting-india/ says that over INR 3 billion is being spent on sports betting alone yearly.
If you’re interested in learning the ropes of online betting in India or you’re a beginner at this kind of hobby, our easy guide contains all the information you need to get started.
Is Online Betting Legal in India?
First thing’s first, you need to know whether online betting is a legal hobby in India. At the moment, online betting seems to be a grey area in India, and there are no current laws that state it’s an illegal activity. In other words, you won’t get in trouble if you choose to participate in online betting. However, this isn’t the case if you live in the state of Maharashtra, as it’s completely prohibited to gamble online.
As long as the betting site doesn’t specifically mention that India is one of the restricted countries, it’s more or less safe to use. If it is a restricted site, you’ll be denied access and you won’t be able to create an account.
Which Sports Are the Most Popular?
Of course, each person has their own likes and dislikes, but there’s a common pattern when it comes to which sports Indians most likely bet on. Namely:
- Field hockey
- Cricket
- Horse racing
- Kabaddi
- Chess
- Tennis
Cricket is a major sport in India, so it doesn’t come as a surprise that it’s also one of the most popular sports in online betting. On the other hand, there’s not much public profile when it comes to kabaddi betting, but it’s definitely still popular in the country.
Payment Method
One major concern for Indian punters has to do with the deposit and withdrawal methods they’ll have to use. It’s a common concern because financial transactions are a tad more complicated in their case given the fact that they have to use overseas betting sites. On the bright side, there’s a variety of accepted methods you can choose from that offer hassle-free transactions.
Many online betting sites accept payments using your MasterCard or Visa debit cards. This is a popular option, as it’s easy to use, cheap, and transactions don’t take too long. However, there have been some reported cases wherein Indian banks rejected some of these transactions simply because they were associated with activities related to betting. If this happens, you can try prepaid cards instead like AstroPay.
On the other hand, more and more bookmakers accept online banking transfers from India. We believe that this payment method will only increase in popularity as time passes. It’s another convenient payment method that’s quick and doesn’t cost a lot.
If you want more choices, other options include cryptocurrency and digital wallets. Of course, each betting site is different, so you have to check which methods are available before signing up.
Factors to Consider When Choosing a Betting Site
Choosing a betting site requires some serious thinking; you can’t just go around signing up for every online site you come across. In this section, we’ll give you a list of factors to consider when choosing a betting site, so you don’t end up choosing an unreliable one.
Safety & Reliability
One of the first things you need to check when deciding on which betting site to use is whether it’s safe, secure, and reliable. After all, you’ll be entrusting your hard-earned money to a bookmaker that you don’t necessarily know. You also need to make sure that you can trust that particular site. You can either do your own research or you can ask friends or family for any recommendations.
Sign up Bonuses & Promos
Many, if not most, online betting sites offer exclusive bonuses and promotions when you sign up. Choose the site that not only appreciates you for signing up and joining but rewards you for your loyalty, too.
This is why many online betting sites implement VIP programs to show loyal users that they’re appreciated. Some sites also offer cashback rewards, although you need to tread carefully with such offers because these are typically given when you lose—and that’s not something you want to happen.
Deposits & Withdrawals
As mentioned above, many Indian gamblers are concerned about deposit and withdrawal methods. As such, this is another important factor you need to consider. Ask yourself: does the betting site support the payment methods you want to use or is accessible to you? Otherwise, you might end up choosing a site that doesn’t allow the option you want to use.
Approved & Licensed by the Gambling Commission
Most importantly, you need to make sure that the online betting site you use has the right kind of licenses. Not only that, but this information also needs to be easily accessible for all to see, preferably somewhere at the bottom part of the homepage.
Conclusion
If you’re looking to start online betting in India, we hope this guide will help you from start to finish. While online betting is still a complex situation in the country, more and more people have been diving into this activity. Before choosing an online betting site, don’t forget to remember all the factors you need to consider first so that you don’t end up with a sketchy and untrustworthy website. It’s also a plus if you choose a site that’s user-friendly and easy to navigate. This will come especially handy if you’re not that familiar with technology, but you want to start online betting.
