Gambling is a highly complicated topic in the country due to the strict regulations and rules in different states. Now, having a gambling house is not held as legal in the nation because of the 1867 Public Gambling Act. Due to that, many people think that betting on cricket today will also be outlawed. But sports betting is a different arena and things are not completely black and white here. As per Indian laws, sports betting is not the same as other types of gambling because it involves skills and not just pure chance.
Read on to know the legality of betting on cricket (also, sports betting in general) in India. Here’s shedding light on the topic that is often misunderstood.
The gambling scenario in India
Gambling’s legality differs from one state to another across the country but the difference between luck-based and skill-based gambling is not ambiguous at all. With that being said, it is not only the fact that cricket betting legal in India –several lottery events are permitted legally in India.
Now, illegal gambling is a punishable offence with a fine of nearly two hundred rupees and even a short sentence in a prison. Thus, you need to be smart about gambling in the country to make sure that you do not end up breaking any law.
Is sports betting legal anywhere in India?
The truth is that betting on cricket today is governed by different laws all over the country. In fact, every state comes with its separate set of rules. For instance, Sikkim has state-run casinos and Daman and Goa have several state-run lotteries.
But cricket is almost like a religion in the country. Thus, the legality of betting on cricket is something that people are unsure about the most. The simplest answer is that anyone who wants to bet on cricket matches from anywhere in the country needs to turn to the online sportsbooks.
Is online cricket betting legal in India?
By and large, sports betting is not legal in India. But there is no law that can forbid Indian citizens from going online and placing their bets. Think of it as a type of loophole for the punters because they might not get to enjoy betting at a brick-and-mortar gambling arena but they can still bet online.
The main reason for these eased out rules for online gambling is the location of all the online platforms. The online sportsbooks get around the gambling laws in India by having their bases offshore. Thus, they are not technically infringing on any restriction. Indian sportsbooks and online casinos aren’t permitted but the foreign establishments that cater to Indian customers are. It lets the interested Indians feel free to legally bet on their favorite sports without the fear of a jail sentence.
Thus, sports betting in India has really taken off in recent times. The residents of India get to bet freely on their favorite online sports if they are ready to use a foreign sportsbook. As a matter of fact, you’ll find several sportsbooks providing currency options and Indian rupees to specifically cater to the Indian market.
Choosing the right betting platform
If you plan to try your hand at cricket betting, one of the first things that you need to do is choose the right platform for doing that. Go for a reliable betting site that has enough Indian users, along with tutorials and guides for the new users to show the path to get them in on the betting action.
Additionally, you need to consider the deposit and withdrawal methods of your chosen platform. Does it accept your visa card or Google Pay? How long does it take for someone to withdraw their winning amount? There are several factors like this that determine whether a platform is worth your trust. So, consider those aspects before giving your nod to a site.
The bottom line
All in all, cricket betting is completely legal in India because it is considered skill-based gambling rather than luck-based. You might not get to legally gamble on other games of luck, but your favorite sport is not out of bounds. So, are you ready to place your bets now?
