Cricket betting in India remains the most popular form of online sports betting, fueled by the passionate fanbase of the Indian Premier League (IPL) and international cricket matches. Indian bettors are drawn by the thrill of wagering on various cricket aspects such as match outcomes, player performance, live in-play bets, and tournaments. The digital revolution has enabled easy access to diverse, user-friendly betting platforms with multiple payment options tailored for Indian users. Despite legal ambiguities, interest surges, especially in mobile-friendly interfaces offering lucrative bonuses. However, bettors must navigate risks posed by illegal operators, highlighting the importance of choosing trustworthy, regulated sites for a safe betting experience.

The 10 Best Online Betting Platforms in India

1XBet
Established in 2011, 1XBet is renowned for its vast sports betting markets, especially cricket. With an intuitive yet feature-rich interface, it offers extensive live betting options complemented by frequent bonuses tailored for Indian users. Deposit and withdrawal options cover popular Indian payment gateways, including UPI and Paytm, facilitating seamless transactions. The platform supports multiple local languages, ensuring accessibility. While the interface may appear cluttered to some, its sheer diversity in betting options and competitive odds make it a favorite among serious punters.

Stake.com
Stake.com specializes in crypto betting and offers a clean, mobile-optimized experience. Its sportsbook includes cricket and other popular sports, blended with an engaging online casino. Indians benefit from generous bonuses and a smooth UI, although desktop usability needs improvement. The integration of cryptocurrency payments appeals to tech-savvy users seeking discreet and swift transactions.

4rabet
4rabet stands out as an India-centric platform with a strong emphasis on cricket betting. The site delivers robust welcome bonuses, low minimum deposits, and competitive odds. Its mobile-first approach suits Indian bettors who prefer betting on the go. The platform supports India-specific payment methods and offers quick withdrawals, making it a practical choice for casual and seasoned players alike.

Parimatch
With origins dating back to 1994, Parimatch combines legacy expertise and modern user experience. It offers a versatile sportsbook with free live streaming and tailored cricket promotions, including IPL-specific bonuses. The platform’s user-friendly design supports multiple languages and India-based payment methods. Despite ceasing its betting exchange, Parimatch remains a trusted name, offering reliability and depth across sports markets.

10Cric
As its name suggests, 10Cric targets Indian cricket enthusiasts with a dedicated focus on cricket betting and is regarded as one of the most player-friendly sites. It features a well-designed app enabling quick bets, super-fast withdrawals, and a range of promotions for IPL and international tournaments. However, it lacks options for betting on horse racing and other niche Indian sports.

Rajabets
One of the newer entrants, Rajabets impresses with innovative features like a 'bet builder' and a 'Bets Feed' that enhance the betting experience. Its generous promotions and selection of popular cricket and football events make it attractive. Though it lacks some sports categories like horse racing, the overall betting environment is streamlined and appealing to Indian players.

Melbet
Melbet is celebrated for its expansive betting portfolio and support for UPI, Paytm, and other Indian payment gateways. It provides a professional interface and a notable welcome bonus package, coupled with secure 128-bit SSL encryption. Melbet’s strength lies in combining sportsbook offerings with a full-fledged casino platform, broadening player options.

Bettilt
Bettilt integrates unique features like multi-platform accessibility (desktop, iOS, Android), bet builders, and live betting. It supports Indian payment systems and offers extensive bonuses. Despite higher wagering requirements, it remains a competitive site for players looking for an enriched betting experience with diverse sports markets.

Puntit
Puntit is known for providing bet boosts and trending bets, simplifying decision-making for less experienced bettors. It offers diverse sports coverage including horse racing and facilitates deposits with popular Indian payment methods. However, it lacks UPI withdrawal options, which could be a drawback for some users.

Sportsbet.io
Optimized for cryptocurrency betting, Sportsbet.io offers solid cricket markets with competitive odds and reliable live betting features. Its sportsbook is a bit limited in variety but appeals to bettors keen on crypto transactions and secure betting environments.

Popular Sports Betting in India

Cricket dominates the Indian betting landscape with the IPL as its cornerstone, creating millions of bettor engagements each season. Beyond cricket, football (Indian Super League, I-League), tennis, and kabaddi also draw significant betting volume. Indian bettors demand betting sites that provide localized payment methods (UPI, Paytm, PhonePe), Hindi and other Indian language support, and mobile-optimized platforms. Live, in-play betting is a rapidly expanding segment, offering real-time excitement. Promotions such as deposit bonuses, free bets, and combo bet boosts are common incentives drawing players.

Fantasy Sports Growing in India

In India, fantasy sports have been gaining momentum, reflecting a trend toward interactive, skill-based competition formats. Hockey leads as the most favored fantasy sport with 32% of participants, followed by football (25%) and basketball (22%). The growth is fueled by interactive leagues, social engagement, and access to online fantasy platforms blending strategic play and community competition, underpinning fantasy sports' appeal as a mainstream entertainment format.

Top 5 Online Casino Platforms in India

1xBet Casino
1xBet’s casino features a comprehensive selection of games ranging from slots and poker to Indian classics like Teen Patti and Andar Bahar. It boasts one of the largest gaming portfolios with over thousands of titles. The site supports Hindi and other local languages, ensuring accessibility. Coupled with attractive welcome bonuses (up to ₹140,000 + free spins), multiple payment options (including UPI and Paytm), and secure encryption, 1xBet provides a holistic casino environment tailored for Indian players. High RTP games and live dealer options enhance engagement, making it a top-rated choice for both novices and seasoned gamblers.

4rabet Casino
4rabet doubles as a sportsbook and casino, with a special emphasis on Indian users. The casino offers a curated collection of slots, table games, and live casino formats optimized for mobile play. Its Indian-centric approach is evident in payment methods, language localization, and frequent promotions like a 700% bonus package. The platform’s smooth UI and swift payout processes further enhance its appeal to Indian casino enthusiasts.

Stake.com Casino
Stake.com excels in integrating sports betting with a vibrant crypto casino experience. Its platform includes provably fair games, a variety of slots, and live casino tables. The acceptance of cryptocurrencies alongside Indian rupees offers flexibility. Frequent tournaments and a rewarding loyalty program enrich user engagement. Despite a less polished desktop UI, the brand remains a leader for Indian players interested in crypto-enabled gaming.

Parimatch Casino
Parimatch’s casino segment complements its sportsbook with a broad selection of slots, jackpots, and live dealer games. It offers competitive bonuses (up to ₹50,000), a secure gaming environment, and UPI-friendly payments. Its easy navigation and multilingual support, including Hindi, make it accessible. Parimatch’s strong reputation and integration of Indian betting features bolster its position as a top online casino destination.

Batery Casino
Batery casino is notable for an extensive welcome bonus package (up to 500%) and 430 free spins, catering explicitly to the Indian market. It provides a rich array of casino games including slots, table games, and live casino. The platform is well-optimized for mobile and desktop, with convenient Indian payment methods and local language support. The site’s strong focus on bonuses and loyalty rewards ensures high player retention.

Gambling Laws in India

India’s online gambling landscape exists in a complicated legal grey zone. The recently introduced Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Bill, 2025, strictly bans real-money and betting games, while simultaneously promoting e-sports and social gaming. The bill enforces severe penalties against unauthorized gambling operations and prohibits financial intermediaries from facilitating transactions related to these games. However, gambling laws vary state-wise, with some states legalizing certain forms of betting and others enforcing bans. Importantly, there is no unified national legislation regulating online betting and casinos, creating regulatory ambiguity. Players are encouraged to verify state-specific laws and use internationally licensed sites to ensure safety and legality.

Risks of Using Illegal Offline Betting Channels

Illegal and offline betting channels in India pose significant risks. These include lack of consumer protection, potential for fraud, absence of transparent payout mechanisms, and exposure to criminal elements. Such operations often evade regulatory scrutiny, increasing the risk of money laundering and other illicit activities. Additionally, they frequently bypass age verification, risking the involvement of minors. Psychological risks are heightened by unregulated promotion targeting vulnerable groups. Payment methods in illegal channels can result in money loss without recourse. Moreover, users of such platforms have no legal protections or avenues for dispute resolution, posing a substantial financial and personal security risk.