Indian sports fans are increasingly turning to international betting sites and offshore operators to quench their thirst for sports betting, in a viable attempt to find a safe and legal way to bet on their favourite sports. The history of Indian legislation concerning gambling stretches back to the Public Gaming Act of 1867 which was the first codification of gambling in India. Incredibly the Act is still in place and leaves online gambling in a peculiar, yet legal grey area.
The original Act specifies that gambling providers are barred from conducting their business within Indian territory. As the online betting has no mention in the original Act, it has since been left to individual states to regulate the legality of online betting sites under their own jurisdiction. To date, only Maharashtra has elected to completely prohibit online gambling.
For Indian players looking to bet on sports, it means the only legal option left is to choose from a number of international betting sites in India.
According to Indian betting experts BetBlazers, allowing Indians to direct their sports betting offshore is currently the most beneficial option for all parties involved. The benefits of choosing an international betting site for Indians interested in sports betting are numerous. Not only do the bigger brand names operate more transparently, but due to intensive competition, they have to provide a premium quality service in order to attract players.
Some of the distinct advantages of choosing offshore gambling operators aside from the question of legality are the welcome bonuses, range of odds and sports, and betting features that many betting sites now seek to offer customers.
As India is such a huge market with growth potential, many international betting sites are now catering their services to Indian players. An increasing number of betting sites are now accepting deposits in rupees, adding a considerable benefit for many Indian players who can now avoid the hassle and fees of money exchanges and transfers.
The likes of LeoVegas, bet365, betway, 22bet and Unibet have been pioneering in this respect.
Indian players will find that now more than ever they can find an increasing number of odds for fan favourites such as cricket, football and even kabaddi. The IPL, the pride of Indian cricket has faced allegations of corruption and match-fixing in the past and it is thought that by directing less business towards onshore and illegal gambling operators within India, helps to aid the problem.
However, concerns have still been raised when it comes to policing and regulation of international betting sites. Many Indians players simply do not have the knowledge and wherewithal to distinguish between which betting companies are reputable and those that are not.
A spokesperson from BetBlazers.com, who provide free advice to Indian players, emphasised that Indians should be wary of what operators they choose to place their bets with. “International betting sites can acquire their licences from a number of places worldwide. Always check to see where an online betting site holds their licence. If the betting company holds a licence with the UK Gambling Commission or even their equivalent body in Malta, then you can be assured that they’re a reputable operator”.
Gambling is still a controversial issue in India, but allowing Indian players a viable option through the use of international operators, for the meantime, satisfies a number of ends.
