Educational 
August 7, 2025 
6 min. 
With a population surpassing 1.4 billion, India stands as one of the largest and most passionate sports nations in the world — and cricket sits firmly at the center of it all. While football or basketball may dominate other global betting markets, cricket is the undisputed king in India’s betting ecosystem.
In a country where cricket is more than just a game — often seen as a unifying national obsession — it’s no surprise that it leads the way in sports wagering activity.
Cricket’s Influence on India’s Expanding Betting Market
Recent industry projections suggest that India’s online sports betting sector could hit $8.5 billion by 2026, with cricket responsible for up to 80% of all bets placed. A major contributor to this trend is the Indian Premier League (IPL), which attracts over 400 million viewers each season and generates vast betting volumes from both local and international audiences.
What makes cricket betting so appealing? It’s the mix of thrilling, fast-paced formats like T20, emotional investment in national and international teams, and a year-round calendar packed with betting opportunities — from bilateral tours and franchise leagues to marquee tournaments like the ICC World Cup.
Why Cricket and Betting Are a Perfect Match in India
Cricket’s structure makes it ideal for live betting and micro-markets. Each match offers a wide variety of markets, including:
- Match winner
- Highest run scorer or wicket taker
- Total team or individual runs
- Over-by-over betting
- Player-specific bets
- Number of boundaries or sixes
The sport’s pacing allows bettors to stay engaged throughout, adjusting strategies in real-time — especially during T20 leagues, where matches happen almost daily and often deliver drama until the final delivery.
Legal Status of Cricket Betting in India
The legal framework for online betting in India remains ambiguous. While there is no national law explicitly governing online sports betting, many international operators legally accept Indian users under offshore licenses. These platforms typically offer localized services such as:
- Payment methods like UPI, Paytm, or cryptocurrencies
- Interfaces in English and Hindi
- Support for betting in Indian Rupees (INR)
Some of the notable brands catering to Indian bettors include:
While states like Sikkim and Nagaland have begun taking steps toward regulating online betting, broader national legislation is widely expected in the near future due to the significant tax revenue potential.
The Future: Cricket Will Remain Betting’s MVP
With mobile internet usage expected to exceed 750 million users by 2026, India’s online betting market is poised for massive growth — and cricket will remain the cornerstone of that expansion.
Although other sports such as football and kabaddi are gradually growing in popularity, they still trail far behind cricket in terms of betting volume and cultural impact.
For any international sportsbook eyeing success in South Asia, the message is simple: if you’re not offering cricket, you’re out of the game.
