The government of India has a complicated take on gambling, allowing only selected forms of sports betting and casino games. Nevertheless, the laws aren’t well-defined, and they differ from one state to another.
So, if you’re new to the Indian gambling scene, you should survey the landscape first. The best starting point to gambling in India is knowing what types of games you can bet on. To make things easy for you, we’ve collected information about the Indian gambling market and compiled it in this article.
This means you need not search the net for any India betting and casino news. Read on and find out what options you have when betting in India.
Gambling Within the Country
As we’ve mentioned above, there are a few kinds of gambling that the government or the state deemed legal. However, you don’t have that many choices regarding the types of games to bet on. Nevertheless, if you want to start out playing in legal games within the country, below are your options:
Lotteries
Though considered a game of chance, the lottery is one of the games that the Indian government allows. The game is regulated by The Lotteries (Regulation) Act that became national law in 1998.
Horse Racing
The Supreme Court labeled horse racing as a game of skill. Thus, it is legal to bet on it. However, the legality still depends on what the state declared.
Sports Betting
Because sports is a game of skill, wagering on sports is widely accepted in the country. Nevertheless, not many states legalize it. In Sikkim, the betting market consists of cricket, golf, football (soccer), and lawn tennis. The state of Nagaland allows virtual sports betting, too, aside from the land-based ones. So, you’ll find a market for virtual archery, boxing, bridge, cricket, fantasy sports leagues, pool, soccer, and snooker.
Casinos
The Indian government exerts effort to prevent gambling in the land, but gambling laws differ from state to state. Few states in India legalised gambling in a casino. You’ll find casinos in the state of Goa, Sikkim, and Daman. Most are brick-and-mortar casinos, but there are also floating ones on the Mandovi River.
Players From India Turning To Offshore Casino Sites
Despite the land-based casinos in some states in India, it’s unlikely to find a casino operating online within the country. So, punters from India turn to offshore casino sites if they want to get a taste of online casino gaming. Offshore online casinos saw this as an opportunity to expand their reach. So more online betting sites opened their doors for Indian punters and accepted deposits in Indian Rupees.
Since offshore betting sites started catering to players from India, the country’s online casino market has grown exponentially. Now, casino games are available to Indian players like you whichever part of the country you may be. What’s more, there are quite a lot of reputable online casinos you can choose from. Leo Vegas is one great example. It has been one of the best online sites not just in India but across the globe.
Moreover, just like any other global players, you can enjoy the perks and rewards the offshore casino offers. One such reward from an online casino that you as a player from India can take advantage of is the no deposit bonus. With it, you can play real money games without spending anything.
Types of Games Available On Online Casino and Betting Sites
Slots
Every online casino will have slots, and most gambling sites that accept players from India also offer free spins. So, look out for these types of online casinos if you’re playing slots for the first time. The free spins they offer will allow you to give slot games a try without the risk of losing money.
Other Casino Games
Some of the most reputable online casinos boast a massive portfolio of games you can choose from. You’ll find lots of variations of table games like baccarat, blackjack, and roulette. There are also poker, Sic Bo, Keno, Mahjong, lottery, and many more. If you’re not familiar with a game you want to play, it’s best that you read some game guides first.
If you want to start with something you’re familiar with, try playing games that are widely known in your country. There are online casino software providers who created games with players from India in mind. They developed the online casino version of games like Rummy, Andar Bahar, Jhandi Munda, and Teen Pati.
Sports Betting
Most online casinos nowadays also offer sports betting on their platform. So, you can switch from casino games and sports betting with just one click. Like casino games, you’ll have a wide array of choices when it comes to sports betting. There are hockey, horse racing, basketball, and football, among other things. You’ll also find sports popular in India such as cricket and kabaddi.
With sports betting, you’re not confined to betting on live sports. There are also virtual sports, fantasy sports, and eSports too. The eSports sector has been booming in India, with more players getting interested in it. So much so that the leading eSports team in Europe, Team Vitality, decided to plant its roots in India.
Live Casinos
Because only selected states in India have brick-and-mortar casinos, Indian players have come to love playing online live casino games. It’s a must-try if you want to experience the landscape casino atmosphere without being in one. You can even interact with smart, friendly dealers and fellow players through the chatbox.
Conclusion
The iGambling industry in India is booming as offshore casino sites open their doors to Indian punters. Because more online casinos are now targeting the Indian market, the competition is bound to be tighter. Thus, players in India will benefit from the rise in both the quantity and quality of games from offshore casino sites.
Though a word of caution, be selective of the online casino you’ll choose to place your bet on. Do your research about the casino first, read reviews about the casino. If you’re having trouble looking for a good one, you might find what you’re looking for on our casino toplist page. We only feature trustworthy online casinos. So, you’re guaranteed in safe hands if you choose any one of those in our selection.
References:
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gambling_in_India
- https://europeangaming.eu/portal
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Team_Vitality
