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The introduction of online sports betting has changed the way sports fans around the world place their bets. Regarding the Indian market, what should you know about sports betting before starting?
The legality of sports betting in India
Although sports betting is traditionally illegal in India, there is no specific law preventing Indians from using sites in other countries. This means that they cannot place bets with a local bookmaker or on a site based in the country, however, they can use an international betting site that offers its services in India.
There is debate as to whether we can expect sports betting to be fully legalized and regulated in the country, and with 40% of Indian internet users enjoying the game, there is a lot of support for it. For now, the number of Indians using international betting sites is increasing and it seems likely to continue in this direction as more and more people discover the convenience and variety offered by this approach.
As long as a site doesn’t list India as a restricted country, you can join it. If it’s restricted in the country, you either won’t be able to open the website or you’ll see a warning when you try to open an account. The most reputable bookmakers are those who are properly licensed in highly regulated countries like the UK or Malta.
What are the most popular sports?
It is not surprising to find that cricket is one of the sports that Indian fans bet the most often. In addition to upcoming Indian Premier League matches, they can also bet on international matches and matches in foreign leagues. Most sites for Indian customers feature cricket heavily in their promotions or on their homepage.
Football also remains extremely popular, with European leagues like the EPL, La Liga and Bundesliga generally among the main options at any betting site. The massive global appeal of the sport means that many bookies are heavily focused on the sport and have special offers for football fans.
You’ll see the world’s most popular sports at most betting sites, from basketball to tennis to golf and more. Interestingly, some online bookmakers cater to the Indian market with events like the Vivo Pro Kabaddi League added to their usual selection.
Available deposit and withdrawal methods
One of the concerns Indian sports fans may have is how they will be able to transfer their money into and out of their betting account. This is all the more true as they have to use sites abroad which, one would expect, would complicate financial transactions. Fortunately, there are a number of accepted methods that Indian residents can use without any problem.
Some sites accept debit card payments with Visa and MasterCard. This is a quick, inexpensive and convenient method of adding funds to a betting account. However, there have been reports of Indian banks rejecting these transactions because they are related to betting activities. A prepaid AstroPay card may be a more suitable alternative for some people.
A growing number of bookmakers are now accepting online bank transfers from India, and it is a payment method that is expected to continue to gain in popularity. It’s not expensive to move money this way and transactions tend to go quickly too. Cryptocurrency is also likely to become mainstream over time, with relatively few sites currently accepting it.
The best digital wallets in India offer a safe and smart way to transfer money online, with several of them accepted by betting sites. PayTM is one such option, while Skrill and Neteller are well established services of this type but can prove to be more expensive than other deposit methods.
Not all online betting sites support all of these banking methods, so you should make sure to check the options of the bookmaker you want to register with. You’ll also want to see if the site allows you to bank in rupees or requires you to use a currency like the US dollar or the euro.
Offers to watch
The extremely competitive nature of the online sports betting industry means that every business tends to come up with great deals to encourage new members to sign up with them instead of looking elsewhere. This often means that you receive a welcome bonus to increase your first deposit, up to a certain limit. If we look at this guide to online betting in India, we can see that Spin Sports is currently offering 100% extra up to $ 100, while the Funbet site is providing 100% up to 10,000. A different approach comes from Betway, with € 30 in free bets being their offer for newcomers. Each of these promotions comes with a set of terms and conditions that you should read before signing up and accepting the bonus.
How to choose the best betting provider
There are a number of factors to consider when deciding which sports betting site to use. Most of them have a similar range of sports you can bet on, so that’s probably not a deciding factor unless you’re more interested in a specific niche sport or type of betting.
The deposit methods accepted and the type of welcome bonus they currently offer are more important areas as these crucial factors will help you get started smoothly and with additional funds in your account. Take a look at current reviews to find out other important information such as their customer service reputation and if they have a mobile app.
There is no doubt that the Indian sports betting market is going through a period of expansion, and the fact that it is now so easy to get started should ensure that it continues to grow as more and more sports fans are attracted to try it.
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