Gambling is an age-old tradition and much loved hobby for Indians, captivating the young and old alike. From fun card games with friends and family on festivals like Diwali, to serious sports betting on online platforms: the country loves a good gamble every now and then. Despite stringent state regulations on physical gambling activities in India, the Indian online gambling market is growing rather stupendously.
Now, people in India looking to play cards, bet on sports, and participate in skill-based games can simply get online and sign up on safe, secure, and licensed gaming platforms and play to their hearts’ content. The advent of online gambling in India has brought about a kind of digital revolution when it comes to the number of Indian players playing online: their numbers are expected to overtake the number of online gamblers from the UK in 2023. According to this- about 40% of Indians have tried at least one online gambling game!
With the normalisation of smartphones, Indians have round the clock access to the latest updated versions of games from various gambling sites in India, and enjoy the full range of fun innovative versions that comes their way from leading game studios. Still, the primary reason for the rising popularity of online gameplay is the country’s stringent legislations that outlaw physical gambling. No wonder online gambling has become quite a rage in the country.
Some Facts About Online Gambling
Digital innovation and improved development technology have enhanced speed, improved user interface, and quickened the responsiveness of gambling games. On top of this, the easy availability of high-speed internet has further improved the user experience. Online gambling sites in India are likely to attract about 80% of all Indian adults in the coming years.
Some of the most played gambling games are teen patti, rummy, cricket, poker, slots, roulette, blackjack, and rummy.These games can be played for real money too, and KPMG reports back the industry to evolve and grow at a rapid pace. Safe payment technologies and better regulatory frameworks support gaming for real money by ensuring users have a safe and seamless experience.
The value of online transactions increased from approximately Rs. 2 trillion in January 2020 to Rs. 4 trillion in January 2021.
Why Is Online Gambling Becoming Popular?
Gambling regulation in India is governed by the regulatory framework of the Public Gambling Act of 1867. Land-based gambling has been extremely scarce in India and comes under stringent gambling authority regulations.
Sikkim, Daman, and Goa are the only states to legalise limited gambling at professional establishments. This gave ample room for online gambling to capture the market and accommodate the needs of players who like to hedge their bets for winning money.
India is well placed to sustain a thriving online and offline gambling market, which may come to stand at a value of $112 billion in three years.
Internet users have grown by 45% since 2021, according to the Internet and Mobile Telecommunications Association of India. About 750 million people in India's population are internet users. In 2019, 5.6 billion mobile game apps were downloaded.
According to a KPMG report, India is expected to become one of the leading online gaming markets reaching $3.9 billion by 2025. The number of online players has grown from 360 million in 2020 to 390 million in 2021, which is an 8% increase. This is expected to cross 450 million by 2023, according to a report by EY and FICCI.
Indians have spent approximately $1.73 billion on online gambling in 2021, which is expected to reach $5.5 billion by 2022. This year saw significant increases in cricket and poker championships, along with the supreme growth of the fantasy sports industry.
The Current Phase of Online Gambling in India
India's online gambling sector is in its booming stage because of several reasons.
- There are diverse series of events, with games like cricket and poker being some of the most popular.
- The ease of access to many internet platforms and some of the best gambling sites in India using smartphones.
- The legal age to play online games is 18 – 64, and millions of these Indians are financially well placed to play, which will continue to grow as the country's overall standard of living improves.
- The gambling market in India offers credible regulation, which is contributing to the fast-growing Indian gambling market, which is expected to grow for years to come.
Favourite Online Gambling Games in India
Indians love to test their luck which gives them an adrenaline rush determined primarily by random factors and is played against houses. Games like Andar Bahar, Roulette, Cards, Lottery, and slots mainly rely on luck, and the player has no control over the outcome.
You can win big, and the feeling of dealing with the unknown gives a lot of people the thrill they need. Games like Rummy and Poker are more skill based than they are luck driven.
The online casinos industry is further fuelled by India’s love for cricket, and whenever there is a major cricket tournament or league.
Games that require skill are played, won, and lost on a player's physical or mental ability to play against others. They allow players to explore their skills, understand the rules and find ways to improve and apply different strategies through constant practice. Games like Rummy and Poker are more skill based than they are luck driven.
The online gambling industry is further fuelled by India’s love for cricket, and whenever there is a major cricket tournament or league, people flock to cricket betting sites in India. Online gaming platforms also offer betting on other sporting events around the world.
With big European and North American platforms set to invest heavily in this space. Indian bettors can surely hope for even better gaming options and platforms in the future.
Also Read: The Top 9 Skill-Based Casino Games in India
The Future of Online Gambling in India
The online gambling regime in India is critically monitored by the 145-page recommendation on mandatory gambling licensing and regulation led by the Indian Legal Commission. Reforming the current legal framework is a much-needed unique solution as this $150 billion Indian gambling market can be susceptible to illegal gambling controlled by crime syndicates.
Experts believe India will follow the path of US regulations legalising the market at the state level instead of the federal or central level. Online gambling is expected to increase and have an influential impact on the economy considering various developments like:
- Rise of cloud gaming
- Casual gaming, sports betting, and local Indian gaming are on the rise
- Easy access and an all-inclusive diverse gambling sector
- Surviving the regulations and building trust through transparency
- Promoting responsible games
Conclusion
When it comes to online gambling, India is one of the hottest markets on the planet today! Exceptional gambling sites in India are offering great incentives for investors and operators to open their services to the Indian public by integrating technology into everyday gaming.
It's quite natural for technology and gambling to join forces and create platforms that will ultimately benefit gambling fans in India. It doesn't look like the online gambling industry will slow down any time in the future. This should encourage the Indian government to enact more open and lenient legislation to allow more gambling establishments to operate in India.
Read More: 10 Best Free Online Games You Can Play and Win Instant Cash
