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In this article, we’ll be discussing the legality and law of sports betting in India’s all 29 states. So stay tuned as you will learn many key insights about sports betting law and legality. With the rise of online sports betting in India, many people who are into betting have this doubt in their minds about whether betting is legal in India or not.
It is important to know that so far, there is no law that says betting online in India is illegal. The law of gambling depends on state regulations against betting. In India, each state has its own laws and regulations related to gambling, whether it's online or physical presence.
Whether betting online or in-person or even any form of gambling is prohibited as per the Indian public gambling act of 1867. However, there is one exception among all of them, and that is betting on horse racing. Betting on horse racing is legal in India. Additionally, all other sports betting are based on the laws of the individual states. Each state in India has their own set of rules and laws for gambling.
The Public gambling act of 1867 and the technology act of 2000 are two of the most important pieces of legislation that govern gambling in India. These two acts together make gambling in most forms illegal in India. However, there are some exceptions as well. For example, gambling is legal in the states of Goa, Sikkim, Daman and Diu. It is also legal in some tribal areas.
Betting on all other sports is governed by individual state laws. This means that the legality of sports betting can vary from state to state. As of 2023, only three states in India have legalized sports betting: Goa, Sikkim, Daman and Diu.
In all other states of India, sports betting is illegal. However, there are several offshore online sports betting sites that accept players from India. These sites are not regulated by the Government of India, so there is some risk involved in using them.
It is important to be aware of the laws and regulations governing gambling in India. If you are caught gambling in India, you can face severe penalties.
According to Statista gambling forecast, the market is about to go up rapidly in the upcoming years. The whole market is expected to grow significantly as gambling is slowly making a huge positive impact on business economies. Here are some notable market stats for gambling in India:
The gambling market in India is expected to grow significantly in the coming years, with online gambling, casino games, online sports betting, and online casinos being the major contributors to this growth. However, the numbers are generally eye-catchy, but these numbers are coming from the illegal gambling market, which is worth more than $100 billion and growing at a rate of 7% every year. Also, around 80% of sports betting in India is on Cricket.
Stopping illegal gambling and sports betting was not so easy; therefore, the government put their effort into regulating sports betting. The report recommended that sports betting be legalized and regulated in India.
The report argued that legalizing and regulating sports betting would help to:
Generate revenue for the government: The government could tax sports betting, which would generate revenue that could be used for public purposes.
Protect consumers: The government could regulate sports betting to ensure that it is fair and transparent and that consumers are protected from exploitation.
Crackdown on illegal gambling: Legalizing and regulating sports betting would make it more difficult for illegal gambling operators to operate.
Promote sports: Legalizing and regulating sports betting could help to promote sports in India by providing a new source of revenue for sports organizations.
The report also made a number of recommendations for how sports betting should be regulated in India. These recommendations included:
Establishing a national sports betting commission: The commission would be responsible for regulating sports betting in India.
Setting up a central database of sports betting operators: This would allow the government to track and monitor sports betting operators.
Requiring sports betting operators to obtain a license from the government: This would ensure that only reputable operators are allowed to offer sports betting services in India.
Prohibiting sports betting on matches involving minors: This would protect minors from gambling.
Prohibiting sports betting on matches that are being played in India: This would prevent match-fixing.
The 276th Law Commission of India report was a significant step forward in the debate over the legalization of sports betting in India. The report's recommendations have been welcomed by some stakeholders, but they have also been criticized by others. It remains to be seen whether the government will implement the recommendations of the report.
As mentioned earlier, each state has their own set of laws and rules against gambling. So in which state betting is legal? There are nearly 28 states in India, but not all of them have a legal law against gambling. When the first public gambling act of 1867 was conducted, all gambling-related activity got shut down instantly.
So the public gambling act of 1867 was introduced by British India to prohibit all gambling activity, including sports betting unless it is specifically authorized by state law. This Act was passed by the Governor-General of India in Council on 25 January 1867.
The Act defines gambling as "any transaction of money or other things of value in any game of chance or on the outcome of any uncertain event". It also prohibits the keeping of common gaming houses, which are defined as "any house, room, tent, enclosure, vehicle, ship or place kept for the purpose of gaming".
The Act was amended in 1976 to include a provision that makes it illegal to use the Internet for gambling purposes. This amendment was made in response to the growing popularity of online gambling.
The Public Gambling Act of 1867 is still in effect in India and still no no new rules and regulations have been conducted. However, still the legality of sports betting varies from state to state and only the state governor has the right to legalize the gambling. As of 2023, only three states in India have legalized sports betting: Goa, Sikkim, Daman and Diu.
It is important to note that the legality of sports betting in India is still developing. The Supreme Court of India is currently considering a case that could have a major impact on the future of sports betting in the country. If the court rules in favor of legalizing sports betting, it could pave the way for more states to legalize it.
Sports betting is legal in three states in India: Sikkim, Goa, and Daman. These states have their own regulatory bodies that oversee and regulate sports betting activities within their jurisdictions. However, it is important to note that online sports betting is not explicitly regulated at the national level in India, and there is a lack of official regulatory bodies for sports betting in the country.
However, there are several popular and reputable online sports betting platforms that cater to Indian players. Some of these platforms include:
1. Betway: Betway is an international betting company that is popular in India and offers a wide range of sports betting options.
2. 10Cric: 10Cric is a dedicated sports betting platform for Indian players, offering a variety of sports and betting markets.
3. Bet365: Bet365 is a well-known and trusted online betting platform that accepts Indian players and offers a comprehensive sports betting experience.
4. Dafabet: Dafabet is another popular online sports betting platform that is available to Indian players and offers a range of sports and betting options.
It is important to note that while these platforms are widely used by Indian players, the legal status of online sports betting in India is still a gray area. It is advisable to exercise caution and ensure compliance with local laws and regulations when engaging in online sports betting activities.
In the end, it’s worth mentioning that the legality and regulation of sports betting or any form of gambling are still in the development phase. There are no tight laws or rules; therefore, people still do gambling and sports betting illegally in India. Gambling and sports betting are illegal in India in every state excluding three states: Sikkim, Goa, and Daman. If you live in these states, then you can do gambling and sports betting. As I said, because of the lack of regulatory shades under gambling, whether with online or offline markets, in other 25 states don’t have clear jurisdiction on paper.
However, as the world is moving towards modern civilization, sports betting is gaining an immersive popularity. People are more enticed to place bets illegally and win massive cash. We might see complete legal enforcement in gambling to legalize the subject in all states in India. As of 11 July 2023, online gambling in India is subject to 28% GST. This applies to all online gambling activities, including online casinos, poker and fantasy sports. GST is levied on the full face value of bets placed, not just on winnings.
Gambling businesses can leverage high profitability from online betting website development as people look for diverse online platforms to bet on their favorite sports more effectively. Get your businesses running effectively by moving into the online sports betting industry! Contact us if you want to know more information about the sports betting app and software development.
DC Kumawat is the CEO of Orion InfoSolutions, a leading provider of IT solutions to businesses of all sizes. He has over 14+ years of experience in the IT industry. He is a passionate advocate for the use of technology to improve business performance.