Is Online Cricket Betting Legal in India?
Short Answer: The Law Is Very Strict
In 2025, online cricket betting for real money is treated as illegal across India under the new Online Gaming Act and existing gambling laws, which broadly ban online money games and betting services. Authorities can act against operators, agents, payment processors, and even users who participate in or promote such activities.
Some people still use offshore betting apps, but the legal risk has increased sharply, and banks are being pushed to block betting-related transactions. This guide explains how the law evolved, what the risks are, and what safer alternatives exist.
How Gambling Laws Work in India
India's core anti-gambling law is the Public Gambling Act of 1867, which bans running or visiting physical gambling houses, but it was written long before the internet and does not directly mention online betting. Many states have adopted this Act or created similar state laws to restrict gambling activities, especially on games of pure chance. [web:147][web:156][web:164]
The Constitution also gives individual states the power to regulate gambling and betting, which is why places like Goa and Sikkim allow some regulated casinos while most states do not. However, this state freedom largely applies to land-based venues and lotteries, not to modern real-money betting apps. [web:156][web:162]
What the Online Gaming Act 2025 Changed
Until recently, online cricket betting sat in a legal grey zone— physical betting houses were clearly banned, but offshore websites serving Indian users were harder to categorize. The Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Bill, 2025 (often called the Online Gaming Act) has now closed many of those gaps. [web:153][web:159]
The new law introduces a blanket ban on online money games and any services that facilitate them, including cricket betting websites, apps, intermediaries, and advertising. It targets both domestic and offshore platforms that offer real-money gambling to Indian users and makes it an offence to promote, host, or process payments for such services. [web:151][web:154][web:159]
Banks, UPI, and Payment Blocking
Under the updated rules, banks and payment gateways are required to identify and block transactions linked to online betting merchants. If they knowingly allow deposits or withdrawals to illegal gambling sites, they can face heavy fines and regulatory action. [web:151][web:153][web:159]
For everyday users, this means UPI, net banking, and card payments to many betting apps may fail, get reversed, or trigger compliance checks. Using workarounds such as wallets or crypto can also fall under money-laundering or foreign-exchange violations if linked to betting activity. [web:150][web:156][web:162]
Legal and Practical Risks for Indian Bettors
While major crackdowns generally target operators and big agents, individual users are not completely safe. The Online Gaming Act and several state laws allow authorities to penalize anyone who promotes, participates in, or financially supports illegal betting activities. [web:154][web:159]
Beyond legal risk, there are serious practical dangers: accounts can be frozen without recourse, winnings withheld by unregulated apps, and personal data misused. Since these platforms operate outside Indian jurisdiction, recovering lost money is extremely difficult, and users have limited consumer protection. [web:147][web:150][web:162]
What About Offshore Betting Sites?
For years, many Indian bettors used offshore sites registered in Europe or the Caribbean, arguing that Indian law did not clearly ban them. Recent legal opinions and the Online Gaming Act now treat such platforms as illegal if they target Indian users with rupee deposits, Indian language support, or localized apps. [web:147][web:151][web:162]
In simple terms, the location of the server or company no longer provides a safe loophole. If a site offers real-money cricket betting to Indian residents, it can be blocked, and people helping to market or process payments for it may be considered to be aiding an illegal activity. [web:151][web:153][web:159]
Safer Alternatives to Real-Money Betting
The legal environment is pushing users away from cash betting toward formats that do not involve stakes or winnings, such as free-to-play fantasy games, prediction contests using points, and official fantasy platforms run by major leagues. These fall closer to skill-based gaming or entertainment without real-money risk. [web:149][web:162]
Serious cricket fans who still want data-driven excitement can focus on fantasy leagues, match analysis, and content creation instead of cash wagering. This reduces legal exposure and also avoids the financial harm that comes from addiction or chasing losses.
Content, Marketing, and Compliance Warning
The new rules also look at people who advertise, promote, or drive traffic to illegal betting platforms, not just the operators. Display ads, affiliate links, or "how to bet" tutorials that push users toward real-money apps can be treated as aiding or abetting online money games. [web:154][web:159]
Websites that publish educational content about cricket betting should be careful to avoid direct calls to action for real-money gambling, avoid sharing banned app links, and clearly promote responsible play and legal awareness. Always consider taking independent legal advice before monetizing content in this space.
FAQs: Online Cricket Betting Legality in India
Q1. Is online cricket betting completely legal anywhere in India?
No. With the new Online Gaming Act and state-level rules, real-money online cricket betting is not formally legal in any Indian state, even if past enforcement was uneven. Regulated casinos in places like Goa focus mainly on on-ground games, not online cricket betting apps. [web:147][web:151][web:162]
Q2. Can I still use offshore betting apps that accept rupees?
Legally, those platforms are now considered part of the banned category of online money games if they serve Indian residents, and banks are expected to block related payments. Using them can expose you to both financial loss and legal issues. [web:147][web:151][web:153]
Q3. Is viewing cricket betting tips or odds online risky?
Educational reading alone is generally lower risk, but actively promoting, sharing affiliate links, or encouraging others to use illegal betting sites may be treated as promoting gambling and can attract penalties under the new Act. [web:151][web:154][web:159]
Q4. Are fantasy sports and prediction games treated the same as betting?
Indian courts have sometimes treated fantasy sports as games of skill, but regulators are increasingly strict with any format that involves real-money stakes and cash prizes. Purely free-to-play or points-based fantasy with no cash payouts is safer from a legal point of view. [web:149][web:162]
Q5. Does this article count as legal advice?
No. This page is an informational overview to help Indian users understand the general direction of the law. For personal or business decisions, especially if you run a platform or create betting-related content, always consult a qualified lawyer who understands gaming regulation in your state. [web:152][web:154][web:159]
Final Thoughts: Focus on Safe, Legal Play
The days of treating online cricket betting as a legal grey area in India are ending. With the Online Gaming Act and stricter enforcement, real-money betting now carries clear legal and financial risks for both users and intermediaries. [web:151][web:153][web:159]
Cricket lovers who want long-term peace of mind should avoid illegal betting apps, explore legal entertainment options, and focus on enjoying the sport without putting themselves or their finances at risk.
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