According to Statista, India’s online betting market will reach almost $1 billion by the end of this year. The number of players in the country is also expected to rise to 13.2 million by 2029. It looks like online betting games are here to stay, and that’s despite the lack of regulations.
Many are enjoying the most popular Indian casino games online like poker and blackjack, and cities like Mumbai, Delhi, and Bangalore are the places where it’s most prevalent.
Rise of Online betting in India and Their Appeal
The convenience of playing from home or on the go has made betting a popular choice. Players no longer need to travel to physical game houses, and that can only save them time and money. After all, India only has legal gaming houses in certain states like Goa and Sikkim.
We can also say that the pandemic in 2020 significantly boosted the industry. It was a time when people were looking for new things to do, and it so happens that online betting is one of them. There’s also no denying that a few have relied on this to earn some profits.
Over the last few years, the presence of online gambling on different platforms has heightened. Many influencers and streamers have started to promote online gaming sites, and somehow made it more acceptable.
Then it’s also a factor that online betting is now mobile-friendly. India is estimated to have over 650 million smartphone users which places it in the second spot next to China. This means that online iGaming has access to such a huge market.
Since the number of mobile users in India is expected to continue to grow, it can also mean that mobile gaming and gambling will grow alongside it.
But all in all, it’s the convenience that makes online gaming so appealing. It’s easy to sign up these days. Load times of the games are also fast, and of course, knowing that you can win real money from playing these games is simply attractive.
Legal Aspects?
As mentioned earlier, there is a lack of online gambling regulations in India. That’s mostly because online gambling is still in its infancy and gambling activities in the country are regulated with the Public Gambling Act of 1867 which has no mention of anything online.
However, there are states where online gambling is already prohibited like Telangana and Tamil Nadu. Whether more states will follow their steps is something we have to see, but based on the latest data, people in Telangana are still engaging in real money gaming online.
So, it might be best for India to have national legislation surrounding iGaming. So far, only taxation and proposed amendments are the recent developments the country has on online gambling.
Beyond Poker and Blackjack: Other Games Gaining Popularity in India
While real money poker and blackjack are some of the most popular gaming options in the country, many types of games are starting to gain interest. Here are some of them.
- Traditional Indian Card Games: Card games like Teen Patti, Indian Rummy, and Andar Bahar are now also playable at many online casinos. Some of the platforms that offer them are 10CRIC, BC.Game, and 1xBet.
- Online Slots: Slot machines are everywhere when it comes to online casino platforms. It’s something that both new and seasoned gamblers would enjoy every now and then. It now comes in different varieties including three-reelers (classic slots), five-reelers, progressive jackpots, and even 3D versions.
- Crash Games: Crash games are also recently starting to gain more popularity this year. This includes titles like Aviator by Spribe and Mines games from software providers like Turbo Games and BetSolutions.
- Live Dealer Games: For those who want to enjoy the ambiance that physical casinos can give, live dealer games are the way to go. This is a live-streamed version of your favorite table games that you can participate in. There are also more unique live casino games you can play that are based on popular brands like Deal or No Deal and Monopoly.
Conclusion
With the numbers Statista released about India’s online gaming industry, we can say that this isn’t just a trend anymore. More operators will likely enter the local gaming scene.
Whether the government will regulate them is something we still have to wait out. It will be a long process, but for now, Indian casino players should focus on finding secure platforms to play their favorite games.
