Why is Sports Betting on the Rise in India?
Sports betting has spread rapidly across the world, and India is no exception. The popularity of sports betting in the country is a multifaceted phenomenon that can be considered to have a wide range of causes: technological improvements, changes in perception about betting, and, most importantly, the super-popularity of cricket and other sports. With the advent of user-friendly online cricket betting apps and with more sites getting easy access, Indians can quickly get involved with such entertainment now. Let’s look into the key reasons why sports betting is on the rise in India.
- Popularity of Cricket and Other Sports
India is, after all, a cricket-crazy country, and cricket gambling is one of the primary reasons for the rising sports gambling in the country. Such massive events as the Indian Premier League, international test matches, and One-Day Internationals serve as a year-round opportunity for bets through cricket. Cricketing has so long been an integral part of the country’s culture that betting on the game has, in turn, evolved as a natural scope for the growth of online cricket betting apps.
Except for cricket, the last few years have seen football, tennis, kabaddi, and basketball dominate the increasingly popular sports. The larger the number of betting sites with more coverage of varied sports, the more space the fan base has to find the games they like to watch, place bets on them, and, therefore, participate actively in the business as the industry grows.
- Explosive Growth of Online Platforms on Sports Betting
The favorite reason for elevating the frequency of betting on sports in India is becoming more prominent, and that is the World Wide Web. Of the mentioned elements, the internet has shifted the dimension of betting, as a punter can place his bets sitting from the comfort of his home. Ease and convenience in accessing online cricket betting applications and websites have made it really easy for users to place bets, follow games in real-time, and withdraw winnings with a few clicks.
Online betting sites have developed very advanced interfaces that support live streaming, real-time data analytics, and many more. Such features make the betting experience exciting to a far greater number of people. Many online cricket betting applications have also been built with Indian audiences in mind. They use Indian payment methods and provide customer support in the local dialect, making them friendly to Indian bettors.
- Mobile Penetration and Internet Access
India is experiencing a digital revolution as millions get affordable smartphones and internet access. This has sharply altered the way Indians consume entertainment, such as sports betting. As a result of widespread mobile applications, betting is now easily accessed through smartphones, so no time and place is needed to place a bet from work, home, or even moving around.
Similarly, the case is the same with online cricket betting apps. These apps have also demystified betting and made it more socially permissible. Although it was initially confined to a particular class of people, today, it has spread to people of all ages and classes due to easy access to such betting applications.
- Regulatory Environment and Perception Shift
Although sports betting remains illegal in most of the states, public attitudes regarding this subject are changing. The newly legalized online betting websites, along with offshore sites, are slowly changing the subject hitherto considered taboo into entertainment for many of its citizens.
While many international bookmakers operate in India without the jurisdiction of Indian law, this still presents an area of legal grayness through which people can engage in sports betting. The interest in these platforms shows there’s much demand for India to legalize regulated sports betting. In the long run, more structural and legalized betting will be in the market as the laws on betting advance, thus promoting the growth of the industry.
- Why Bonuses and Promotions
The other major concern is the fancy incentives offered by most betting firms. In fact, a welcome bonus, free bet, and so much more make users get paid twice for using the site. Most sites offer loyalty programs that treat frequent bettors to cashback, free bets, and unlocked features. All these bonuses make sports betting attractive, both for seasoned bettors and new ones.
Various reasons seem to have contributed to the growth of sports betting in India. Still, most importantly, the immense popularity of cricket supports it, as well as the relentless growth of online cricket betting apps, mobile penetration, and the availability of betting sites. With the continuous change in regulations and the advance of technology, the sector is said to broaden even further. This is due to the total shift in public opinion and increased convenience of internet-based portals, with sports betting progressively turning into mainstream entertainment in India.
Also read: How to Use Sports Betting Software and Tools