India, with a population exceeding 1.4 billion, is united by a single, undeniable passion: cricket. While global betting markets often center around football or basketball, the Indian sports betting landscape is overwhelmingly focused on cricket.
In a nation where cricket is often seen as more than just a sport — but as a religion — it’s no surprise that it makes up the bulk of the country’s betting activity.
Industry reports suggest that India’s online betting market could reach $8.5 billion by 2026, with cricket making up nearly 80% of that total. The IPL (Indian Premier League), a two-month-long T20 cricket tournament, alone attracts over 400 million viewers each season, generating hundreds of millions of dollars in wagers, both domestically and internationally.
What draws the crowds? Fast-paced, high-energy matches, a strong emotional connection to both local and international players, and the tournament’s nearly year-round calendar.
From the Indian national team’s Future Tours Program, to major international tours of Australia, England, or South Africa, and key ICC events such as the World Cup, cricket offers almost endless opportunities for betting throughout the year.
Cricket’s format makes it perfect for in-play and micro-market betting, a feature that sets it apart from many global sports. Bookmakers provide a wide variety of betting options per match, including:
Cricket’s slow and methodical pace, combined with its strategic complexity, gives bettors ample time to analyze and react. This is especially true during major T20 leagues, where daily matches often culminate in a nail-biting final over.
Betting in India exists in a somewhat unclear legal framework, but online sportsbooks catering to Indian users operate under international licenses. These platforms are designed to cater specifically to Indian preferences, offering local currency (Indian rupees), interfaces in both Hindi and English, and payment methods like UPI and cryptocurrencies.
Some of the global betting platforms authorized to serve Indian customers include:
Though India lacks nationwide online sports betting regulations, certain states, such as Sikkim and Nagaland, have already taken steps to legalize and license certain platforms. Many industry insiders believe that broader regulation is an inevitability, particularly given the revenue potential of this market.
As India’s mobile internet user base grows — with projections estimating over 750 million mobile users by 2026 — cricket betting is poised to maintain its dominance.
While other sports like football and kabaddi are gradually gaining a foothold in the betting sector, cricket remains deeply embedded in the cultural psyche of the nation.
For international sportsbooks looking to expand into South Asia, there’s one indisputable truth: without cricket, you’re missing out on the main event.
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