Sportsbooks have evolved rapidly in the past decade, with offshore and mobile outlets becoming a mainstream choice for many desi punters. A recent in-depth study reveals some important market dynamics and projected trends in online betting:

• Media-rich gaming offers gradually take over the scene, transforming audiences from passive to active users;

• Emerging gaming genres – fantasy, esports and simulated reality leagues – offer the same motivations as classic sportsbook; they can complement or even substitute it;

• Gradually, non-cricket sports and leagues get more attention.

Online sports betting continues growing as a preferred channel, fighting back underground betting. While unverified offshore platforms may not provide the best player support, the highly competitive market raises player expectations and ultimately quality.

Market Size and Social Significance

While only a couple of States have formally made sports betting legal, reportedly there are 140 million regular and 370 million casual punters in Bharat. The latter are active mostly around major sports events.

Experts agree that the legal climate is obsolete, on both state and Central level. The absence of proper regulation holds back economic benefits and raises social costs. Policymakers are often urged to introduce responsible gaming standards to help manage risk behaviour and help protect vulnerable bettors.

India’s young and tech-savvy gamers have already taken offshore platforms to the mainstream. Yet, online sportsbook data is scarce, despite being the single most important real-money game. Mobile betting and apps add to the wide range of sportsbook choices, while cheap internet and affordable smartphones bring them everywhere.

Industry estimates place ODI betting at USD 200 million for a single match, while annual turnover (both online and off-) is given at anywhere from USD 130 billion to USD 150 billion.

Cricket is still the nation’s top choice, and the IPL draws the most betting fans. However, search trends suggest that brand names and global stars dominate the market, drawing media and advertisement attention.

The Biggest Leagues in Sports Betting

Primary research data from Pure Win sportsbooks reveals India’s favourite sports leagues. Peak betting trends confirm that the tournaments which get extensive media coverage top the betting list:

The IPL – particularly the playoffs and final games – is surpassed only by international cricket. The T20 World Cup draws the most online betting traffic. Among foreign leagues, the South African and Pakistani tournaments get a decent ranking, while the Women’s Big Bash League of Australia does surprisingly well in the absence of men’s BBL and other real-time events.

Outside of “traditional” sports and leagues, the high betting demand spills over into football, mostly the Spanish Primera and the English Premier League.

Most Popular Bet Types

Bet-slip data shows that Indians prefer mostly single-odd bets – clearly a low-risk/low-reward strategy. This is also supported by the fact that the most frequent amount is 500 rupees (~5 euro). Actually, two-thirds of bettors end up committing sums under Rs 1000, and only a small number of high-rollers drive up average statistics – slightly above Rs 6800 per month (~80 euro) per player.

Live Bets Prevail

Betting patterns and activity lets analysts trace player behaviour, over time and within a State. Andhra Pradesh and Telangana sit on top of total player rankings, with Delhi close behind. AP also records the highest monthly revenues, while Maharashtra and Haryana post consistently high player values.

Cross-referencing over time, we see several peak months for sports betting. IPL bets peak in April and, in 2021, in late September and early October. High traffic volumes carry over into October and November, mostly related to the T20 World Cup.

In a particular Covid-affected betting season, Indians remained active in July and August as well – there were the Euro football championships, Copa America, Wimbledon, the NBA Finals and the Tokyo Olympics. Media coverage and betting behaviour confirm conclusions on the importance of global stars and their following.

The fact that the majority of bettors follow high-profile events and remain active during matches is confirmed by data showing 79% of all bets being placed live. Even occasional punters are tempted by the hype and monetary potential in such a context, especially when Team India is playing.

Brief Profile of a Typical Desi Bettor

Player demographics and other traits are also available by segmenting big data. Maharashtra and Delhi lead in overall user volumes, while Bihar, New Delhi and AP show the highest shares of sports betting engagement among real-money gamers.

Source: Purewin.com

Sportsbook tops turnover lists only in Bihar. Yet, a state-by-state breakdown shows that sports betting remains the single most preferred money game in 11 States (AP, Bihar, Chandigarh, NCT Delhi and New Delhi, Gujarat, Haryana, Maharashtra, TN, Telangana, UP and Uttarakhand).

Overall, almost 70% of gamers are under 34, including casino players. Sports bettors confirm that profile, as engagement dips in young middle-aged users and recovers with age and more disposable income.

As per previous industry research, the biggest betting communities come from metro areas – i.e. Delhi, Mumbai, Bangalore, Chennai. Younger males define market demand, in cricket and other sports betting markets.

Office-hour events and bets raise somewhat the share of desktop usage. Still, mobile betting is unparalleled, with Xiaomi the expected leader, followed by Samsung. Android phones remain above 95% among desi mobile bettors.

Emerging Forms of Sports Betting

Just like “classic” offline sports betting has been upstaged by online and offshore channels, a growing number of betting alternatives shape a new-age market. Mostly skill-based (and therefore legitimate), Fantasy sports and eSports have gained a substantial following. Sponsorship deals raise public visibility, draw more media interest and make up for a more active sports experience.

Both fantasy and esports compete with real-life events at times. eCricket, FIFA and NBA esports events and fantasy leagues attract professional and semi-professional players, with more live betting and league prize pools than ever before. Virtual events cover “dead” times between major leagues and games are shorter, easier to follow even live.

The research piece concludes that motivators for betting on hybrid real-money gaming genres are the same as classic wagering – money, thrills, game knowledge and sports engagement. Younger generations appreciate the flexibility and immersive nature of digital sports, bringing active players from 40 million in 2018 to over 100 million currently.

Simulated Reality Leagues (SRL) are the latest addition to cross-over gaming. What was initially invented as a virtual replica of European football leagues (the Premier League, the Italian Serie A and La Liga) took root in cricket as well, with the Super Sixes SRL a major success.

Simulated fixtures offer result tracking via a computer-generated live score. The real-time outcome is based on actual statistics, rules and even factors like player form and weather conditions. They have turned into yet another potent engagement tool, providing more betting chances for gaming enthusiasts.

Projected Betting Market Trends in India

Sports events and gaming chances abound for desi bettors, more than ever before. New forms of hybrid betting are based on skill and aim for legal recognition from the start. This puts India on top of emerging markets’ support for immersive sports experiences and mobile gaming services.

Online betting on real-life events remains dominant, nevertheless. The money involved, player knowledge and judgment skills, friendly competition and bragging rights remain a cornerstone in sportsbook popularity. The convenience of mobile access has brought all betting genres together into an absorbing integrated experience.

Sports fans are often bettors, and most want to be a part of the glamorous world of sports stars. This facilitates business opportunities, media and advertisement coverage, converting desi users from a passive audience to active consumers.

Virtual and hybrid betting is expected to become a more mainstream product, propelled by the largest and youngest user groups (18-24). They are also likely to open up the market to global leagues and more diverse sports outside of cricket, a trend that has already become unstoppable.

In all of this, policymakers need to think about consumer protection, privacy, financial and digital security. The absence of proper regulation holds back the betting and gaming sector and does more harm to an immense pool of users from all across India.

The post Sports Betting in India: Tastes and Latest Trends appeared first on Bet India.

Betting on professional sports is a sensitive subject in India – hugely popular yet hard to come by legally, with some notable exceptions. Betting enthusiasts often seek alternatives, whether online or black-market. Due to gaps in existing regulations, offshore gaming companies manage to satisfy some of that demand but only a few show a deeper understanding of desi consumers.

Over the past decade, sports and betting fans finally got to see some hybrid and innovative gaming genres. Fantasy sports grew into a strong segment, as virtual competitions follow real-world sports and combine what bettors value most – the thrill of money gaming and the passion for one’s favorite sports. Crucially, it’s all legal and you can show off to your friends and colleagues.

What’s the Difference between Sports Betting and Fantasy Gaming

Horse racing is a notable exception to betting bans, as it has been recognized to employ skills in judging the outcome of races. This distinction from pure chance wagering is at the foundation of legitimacy for other real-money games of skill as well.

Traditional sports betting is a widely accepted social phenomenon in India. Yet, despite players’ conviction that it also requires specific knowledge and judgement, it is not regulated as a skill-based game in most states. Most sports betting is done online, as there are either no explicit laws against it in the majority of states or there are no known arrests for that kind of pastime.

When traditions become obsolete, however, market logic often takes over. Fantasy sports have been recognized as predominantly skill-based, ever since the early days of their existence. This has opened the possibility of paid sessions, prize pools and other real-money contests that depend somewhat on a gamer’s ability but a lot on events outside their control.

The paradox is in the very essence of fantasy gaming: real-world match outcomes are based on actual performance of athletes and fantasy teams are merely a selection of such professional sports people. As a result, betting enthusiasts can assemble fantasy teams and enter into leagues – wagering their money in the process – but they cannot bet directly on existing real-world sports teams of their choice.

Fantasy Sports – a New Generation Online Betting

The legitimacy, easy access and media visibility soon made fantasy into a product that is almost synonymous with actual sports. High-profile agreements with professional leagues were signed and global sports stars soon joined the party. India loves its cricket idols – Sachin Tendulkar, Kapil Dev, MS Dhoni, Sourav Ganguly, Yuvraj Singh… to name a few – and their endorsement has done much to make fantasy gaming a glamorous gaming segment.

Dream11 became the nation’s first gaming unicorn (boasting a dominant position in the niche) and even took over the IPL title sponsorship. Fantasy gamers grew from 40 million in 2018 to over 100 million in just a couple of years, while other sports gradually joined cricket – football, basketball, even kabaddi.

There are more than 100 fantasy gaming companies operating on the market, as well. The Federation of Indian Fantasy Sports (FIFS) is eager on self-regulation but is not pushing for a change in the legal scenario too much. Fantasy gaming is on the rise and the business has been repeatedly supported by High Court and Supreme Court rulings.

Fantasy sports are considered a hybrid betting gateway for a number of reasons. For one, players spend money while playing casually. Often, they watch the game or follow a live result to see how their “bet” is progressing. But it is also a turn-based strategy, particularly with leagues and competitions that span across a season or a series.

More importantly, player engagement is almost identical and most players agree that there is a strong correlation. Younger generations find the dynamics, flexibility and immersive nature of fantasy sports more attractive than “static” sports betting. Above all, it is legal and you can start with free sessions before deciding whether to play for money.

At the end of the day, fantasy leagues and competitions are exploited as an engagement tool by sports franchises, media and other seemingly unrelated companies as well. Revenue streams include advertisements, brand partnerships, contests, retail and investment opportunities. The network effects that fantasy genres create around the sports ecosystem helps passive viewers become active users.

Spillover Effects

As fantasy sports grew more visible, fantasy startups grew bigger and created a fertile business climate around their business model. Dream11 is still the undisputed market leader (valued at USD 5 billion in 2021) but other competitors are getting increasing media coverage. MyTeam11, Halaplay, 11Wickets and others have followed suit and have partnered with professional leagues from around the world – the NBA, the CPL, the International Hockey Federation. The IPL even runs its own official fantasy league!

The positive impact of fantasy sports is helping build up the credibility of the entire online gaming sector. Next generation real-money games are looking for other branches and cross-over collaborations to exploit the legality of skill and casual gaming and still be able to invest into paid gaming.

By openly sponsoring fantasy, cricket stars and global sports idols have had a positive social impact on real-money gaming, aiding public and political acceptance. Various leagues and franchises, in turn, have seized the chance to deepen engagement and bring their fans closer to the sport. And where passion is not enough, monetary gains sweeten the deal.

Player Profiles and Public Awareness

While there has been a significant rise in popularity, online gamers are more aware of fantasy sports in the North (69%), followed by West (67%), East (66%) and South states (64%), according to an industry study. US research reveals that once sports fans evolve into fantasy players, they consume up to 80% more sports-related content.

KPMG India confirms that fantasy sports gamers in India prefer cricket (71%), followed by football (54%). Almost three quarters of surveyed gamers admit to being in it for the “fun and excitement”, as well as staying in touch with the sport. Using sports-specific knowledge stimulates roughly half of all players. The possibility of winning money remains important, and is the leading motivator for 30% of fantasy gamers.

Younger users (18 to 36) typically play between one and three times a week – that is the case for more than three quarters within the group. Middle-aged players (37 to 50) may have about 50% frequent gamers but they play more than four times a week.

More than 70% of all gamers earning less than Rs 3 lakh annually have paid for sports games in the past 12 months. 38 percent of those spend more than Rs 500 per month. Playing frequency and wagered amounts fall in higher income groups, particularly among those earning more than Rs 10 lakh per year. This leads experts to stress the importance of money gaming as means for earning supplemental income for lower-income players.

Although most urban gamers play fantasy less frequently (1-3 times per week) than urban ones (above 4), the majority of fantasy sports enthusiasts come from larger cities. But, across Bharat, a deep penetration of online gaming is on the cards, possibly beyond old-fashioned sports betting.

The trend makes India stand out among other emerging markets – sports gaming for money interests 29% of surveyed adults. Similar shares are reported on classic gambling (33%) or eSports (30%), showing a nation that gets used to tech innovations quite easily. More than two thirds of adults agree, ultimately, that the money and thrills are similar to sports betting and justify fantasy sports as a worthy legal substitute of sports betting (when the latter is not available).

What Lies Ahead for Fantasy Sports Betting?

Coming up with a progressive and effective regulation for online gaming might not be an easy task for Indian legislators. The evolution of technology and the dynamic market competition might require constitutional amendments and telecommunication regulations, with authorities often destined to play catch-up with market forces.

But until the Centre decides to act upon the Law Commission’s 2018 suggestions on legalizing sports betting, desi players have simply put their trust in reputable offshore and online platforms.

The digital transition is there for us to see all along – younger generations take up new gaming genres; augmented reality and immersive technologies bring them closer to the sports and stars they love; rural users quickly catch up with their urban counterparts.

In this context, fantasy sports have taken advantage of affordable mobile technology and mass-media coverage to convert sports fans into active gamers. For many, their fantasy team is like following an actual professional team. Gamers put in their knowledge, passion and some money and come out with thrills, first-hand experience and often some cash or bragging rights.

As most betting companies struggle with legal hurdles, India remains low on channeling players to local businesses. Having found an exciting legal alternative in fantasy sports, experts anticipate that novel gaming genres will grow even more in coming years.

Tech startups, domestic or foreign, are likely to offer even more betting chances on fantasy, esports and simulated reality leagues (SRL) to those who simply cannot get enough of their sports passion.

The post The Betting Loophole in Fantasy Sports appeared first on Bet India.

Sports-related tech startups have been active for years in striking high-profile agreements with sports leagues – ranging from desi football (the ISL) to the NBA. The fact of the matter is online gaming companies want to cover all bases, simply because various age groups connect through mutual interests. Personal and professional fascinations change with age and define entire user markets segments, helping companies reach them in turn.

As a result of such strategies, immersive sports experiences have kick-started an entire wave of new online industries that are legal and more visible than traditional sports betting platforms. Common interest groups tend to follow mainstream trends.

The largest and youngest age cohort among desi adults (18-24) is the most dynamic in making such choices, casually jumping from one popular pastime to the next. More often, they tend to follow stars and top trends rather than teams and leagues. Their spending and betting behaviour inevitably reflects that.

Age Breakdown Numbers Are Eloquent

The overall breakdown of the most active age brackets allows betting companies to know better and relate to their clients. Bet India has analyzed its own Big data covering 70 thousand registered users in over a year, covering exclusively traffic coming from India.

Males have proven the overwhelming majority, with 84% of all users. More importantly, the prevailing age group – 18 to 24 olds – takes up a 41.7% share. Combined with users under 34, they generate almost three-quarters of all online betting traffic (72.6%). Males alone, in the same age cohort, accounted for 62%.

This is consistent with the young setup of contemporary desi society – with a median age under 29 and almost two-third of its citizens under 35. But it also stresses the importance of online market access and technology usage, something which comes more naturally to younger and less conservative gamers.

What’s Important to Desi Sports Bettors

Google Analytics data from Bet India allows the extraction of interest categories among registered bettors.

Naturally, sports and related news are the single most important content category. Then again, many sports punters declare interests in entertainment, current events, celebrity lifestyle and various digital media. This is the diverse majority of all users.

Once again, the youngest age groups stand out. What is interesting is that entertainment (music, arts, film) and celebrity-related contents – when combined – account for a larger portion of their preferences. If we add tech gadgets and digital media, sport remains merely one of the markets, not an exceptional one.

Mainstreaming Betting through Stars

The top cricket stars in India are instantly recognizable; the local ones are practically national heroes. Many openly sponsor esports and fantasy leagues played for money, considered rightly an alternative and more flexible form of sports betting.

Ad campaigns with the likes of Sachin Tendulkar, Kapil Dev, MS Dhoni, Sourav Ganguly, Yuvraj Singh or Virat Kohli have a direct impact on the popularity of real-money gaming, particularly its visibility and public acceptance. While they have inspired millions of sports fans, the sheer media coverage and online traction they get mean more for everyday consumers who don’t follow the game too closely.

The same case could be made for global stars like Messi or Ronaldo, Roger Federer or LeBron James. More than anything, young people – who provide most sports bettors – tend to follow the favourite stars of India and the World.

Occasional surges in betting interest may be registered after national success stories like PV Sindhu’s Olympic exploits or the Union men’s and women’s field hockey teams. These, however, are trends that cover wide demographics rather than narrow interest or age groups.

Betting Frequency Peaks in Lower-Middle Aged Punters

Betting on events and sports-related games is consistent in users under 36, between one and three times a week. The 37-59 age group might have a statistically lower penetration, yet it reports a higher engagement rate – nearly half of those play and bet more than four times a week.

Within the same middle-aged group, playing frequency decreases when income levels rise. Only 12% of those earning more than Rs 10 lakh annually play as much as their peers.

Fantasy Sports Growing in Importance among Youth

A high-profile grey area, fantasy sports are a legal paradox. Fantasy leagues, tournaments and gaming apps are known to be skill-based and are upheld by courts as such. Interestingly enough, their outcome is based on actual athletes’ performance. This enables users to wager money on selected real-life players but not bet directly on real-life teams unless it’s offshore.

Younger consumers are attracted by the flexibility and immersive nature of online fantasy games. Legal and open to anyone, they start like practice contests and grow into competitions with entry fees and prize pools. Many semi-pros are making a living out of this.

The huge visibility of the segment is due to its casual accessibility, image links to sports stars and affordable spending schemes – one can spend nothing, or bet as little as 50 rupees on a custom-made team or event. The industry now counts more than 100 million active users and covers anything from cricket to kabaddi, football or basketball. Dream11, the dominant player on the market, is big enough to endorse the IPL.

According to a 2021 survey, Indian gamers rate second in interest for fantasy sports (29%), in line with other emerging betting markets. This is almost as much as the willingness to bet or gamble (33%) or bet on eSports (30%). This brings us back to the leading role of younger adults who prefer a more immersive, all-around media and sports experience.

While fantasy differs from classic sports betting, it shares much of the user engagement and play dynamics. All sports are games of skill, after all, with chance playing only a small part. Bettors and fantasy players, in turn, often do their research, adopt a strategy or at least try to. 31% of responders claim that there are substantial similarities between “traditional” sports betting and fantasy wagering.

Those that find them alike do so on the basis of:

• Knowledge and skill indispensable (55%)
• Monetary aspect (68%)
• Similar thrills (26%)

Even so, these novel sports games for money lack the huge outlay that classic sports betting enjoys in India. Sports bets remain bigger than music, TV and movies combined.

India Has a New-Age Mindset

The quick adoption of digital technology and fintech solutions makes the Union market a fertile ground for new gambling formats. A third of all consumers would gladly place more bets “if it were easier”.

The search for alternatives – in a stagnant legal framework – has made betting on real sports and fantasy selections an interchangeable reality. Many users admit to playing both, in an attempt to get more thrills from competitive sports and be part of a star-studded media market.

Online betting traffic will always peak around high-profile events and games of national importance. However, the future of the industry is in more partnerships and cross-over genres in an attempt to convert passive viewers into active gaming and betting consumers.

The post Age Among Leading Factors in Shaping Bettor Interests appeared first on Bet India.

Every year, Indians bet upwards of $100 billion on sports, an industry study reveals. The biggest entertainment segment in the Union is still mostly cash-based, yet accessible technology and new media formats make the digital transition more visible in the past few years.

Mobile phones have not only moved betting from back-alleys to online markets, they have also introduced new hybrid betting genres like fantasy and esports. The result is a lower player age but a wider demographic coverage.

The average Indian sports bettor is statistically a young male based in a big city. States that provide the most online betting traffic are those that have formally outlawed local betting practices, with Telangana, Karnataka and Maharashtra topping the charts.

With the growing importance of technology, desi consumers will be able to access more immersive sports content as betting becomes only one aspect of the experience. Younger generations are certain to bridge the digital divide between rural users and urban communities.

Why Some States Bet More on Sports than Others?

With the premise that online betting is easier to trace, it is easy to explain why larger and more developed states and urban areas provide consistent player bases. As previous reports have found, Tier-1 cities like Hyderabad stand out, followed closely by Bengaluru, Mumbai, Chennai, Pune and Delhi.

Yet, online betting communities are not equally distributed, even among larger urban areas. Young males keen on sports and money thrills are found everywhere in the Union but cultural acceptance and media exposure is not identical. Online traffic in Northern and Eastern states is considerably less per capita, given that large parts of these territories are more conservative. They are also more interested in football and remain outside the constant mass-media promotion of cricket, with all related industries and market effects.

On the other hand, market size does not always match betting frequency. Around 85% of urban bettors play between 1 and 3 times a week. Nearly 70% of small-city gamers, on the other hand, bet more than 4 times in a week, confirming the overall deep market penetration.

Telangana, in particular, stands out as the home of almost a quarter of all sports bettors on certain platforms! It is closely followed by Karnataka, with both states boasting a higher GDP per capita compared to Union average. Stable economies and sizable populations are also reasons to see Maharashtra and Uttar Pradesh among leading markets.

Other factors include:

1. Legal climate – bans placed on online gaming and betting in Telangana and Andhra Pradesh, with Karnataka as the most recent case. High Courts struck down limits on skill games at least, leaving fantasy sports open for business. Despite that, many fans and players began seeking online (and offshore) alternatives.
2. Habitual use of technology – startup hubs like Hyderabad and Bengaluru are prime examples of communities closely tied to digital technology. Young professionals favour innovation, global services and online markets. They provide a particular client pool, driving mobile betting, including pioneer advancements like cryptocurrency payments.

Expanding User Demographics

The ICC has calculated that India holds about 90% of the billion global cricket fans. Desi passion for sports betting is highlighted by its 140 million regular punters (a conservative estimate), with the number rising to 370 million during major events.

Such an immense user pool is inevitably diverse as Bharat itself. Even so, affordable smartphones and cheaper internet helped the penetration of new betting mediums and forms, bringing the market closer to global standards. With more disposable income, India’s growing middle class has discovered the convenience and safety of betting online.

Most casual betters know the top ICC events like the World Cup and World T20. Many follow their regional cricket franchise or a “secondary” local team. But contemporary sport is expanding as a business model, aiming to engage users with advertisement, brands and sponsorships, contests and partnerships. This has given rise to new “hybrid” forms of sports betting like fantasy and esports – essentially wagering on the performance of star athletes or virtual franchises.

This immersive ecosystem of sports-related industries has had a positive influence on legal gaming. Novel games with entry fees offer prizes, promotions and merchandise, something that two-thirds of surveyed consumers – across all age groups – say they appreciate highly. Ultimately, games for money contribute to bringing all demographics closer to their sports passion. The potential monetary gain often provides only an extra incentive.

Essential Traits of Indian Sports Punters

Sports betting tries to stay below the radar in most cases, with industry data seldom publically available. Google Analytics data analysed at Bet India, however, reveals some basic demographics of nearly 70 thousand online bettors over a 16-month period up until October 2021.

• Age cohorts – Not surprisingly, 18- to 24-year-olds have a dominant share of 41.7%. Together with users below 34, they generate almost three-quarters of all online betting traffic. Thirty-four is also the average age estimated by the ICC on a global scale, heavily influenced by the Indian market, of course.
• Language used – Despite the fact that only 12% of India’s population uses English interchangeably – and 70% of online users think local language content is more reliable – English still tops user language rankings.

Naturally, Hindi is the second most-often selected language, while influential states drive up the shares of Telugu, Tamil, Bengali and Marathi. The best offshore betting platforms have already started offering such content and settings, albeit often computer-translated.

• Disposable income – Overall, marketing studies have proven its importance in affording betting as a more regular pastime. However, when researchers narrow down behavior indicators, it turns out that more than 70% of people earning less than Rs 3 lakh per year have paid for sports games in the past year. Thirty-eight percent of the same group spend more than Rs 500 per month on fantasy sports alone.

High engagement levels lead experts to the conclusion that betting on sports is seen as a way of earning a supplementary income, especially by lower-income users. Belief in one’s skill and knowledge are also factors in making genres like fantasy sports more popular than ever before.

The study cites a survey in which 30% of all players admit to being motivated by monetary gains, while half of all those surveyed have played for money or bet on sports in the past year.

• Devices – again, no surprise – mobile phones remain the top choice with 87%. Android is given at above 99% market share, with iPhones almost non-existent. Xiaomi has a commanding lead among smartphones (30.3%), followed by Samsung with 21%, Vivo, Realme and OPPO.

Gender Gap Not a Surprise

We expect to see males dominate the cricket fandom and global figures confirm that with 61%, mostly based in India. Bet India’s own statistics show that when it comes to online sports betting, men outweigh women even more decisively with 84%. This is definitely not the case in other paid games (casual, puzzle or quiz) but being an avid sports fan is also a question of motivation.

Previous studies had shown that betting (or gambling in general) is an option for females when lonely or dealing with emotional issues. Males are more motivated by financial aspects but also by pressure from their peers – needing something to show in terms of knowledge, skill or cashing in a prize.

Vindicating Sports Betting as a Nationwide Phenomenon

Back in 2018, the Law Commission filed a report discussing the possibility of legalizing sports betting as a gateway to regulated gambling. Proposals included linking players’ Aadhar and PAN cards to betting profiles as a way of gaining more control and insight into demographics, helping problem punters and keeping out minors.

No such proposals have been shaped into a bill so far. Sports betting continues enjoying tacit public acceptance, yet meets almost no legal approval domestically. All the while, industry surveys point to 83% of adults agreeing that regulating sports bets is better than outlawing the sector and surrendering to foreign competition and black markets.

Part of a wider Asian betting culture, sports-related games are associated with aspirational lifestyles and wealth, getting in touch with stars while having a thrill. Giving India’s tech-savvy betting army a legitimate chance to show their skills, knowledge and strategy will only bring this immense market into the light.

The post Profile of the Typical Desi Sports Bettor appeared first on Bet India.

Sports betting in India is without a doubt the largest real-money gaming market. Despite being illegal in many states and forms, it attracts millions of desi players on a daily basis. In-depth research reveals that every year sports betting moves upwards of $100 billion, making it the biggest entertainment segment in the Union.

Cricket is still the poster sport for the industry. Yet, big brand names and easy online access have made foreign leagues and global stars more popular than ever before. With fantasy and eSports as the new frontier of online betting, sports fans and casual punters show that a more immersive experience is in demand.

Why Is Betting Seen in a Good Light?

Mass media and authorities often tend to overlook the issue until black markets come into play. A phenomenon that brings so much passion to the common person cannot be ignored, however, and concrete steps towards regulation are often invoked by consumer protection groups.

Sports betting in India is popular for the same reasons as anywhere in the world – it combines the excitement of a favourite sports event with the realistic chance of earning some real money. For those playing with skill and knowledge, it only makes emotions stronger.

Horse Racing as a Positive Influence

Horse racing bets are a historical and legitimate tradition across the Union. Despite only a few big turf clubs being present, this game of skill did much for the social acceptance of sports bets.

Since its 18th-Century roots, horse racing events have been synonymous with “skill, speed, variety, glamour, gambling, thrills, scandals and big money”. High profile events have brought prestige and supported an entire industry.

Through highs and lows, this historical heritage has had a digital revival, with many turning to this niche sport in post-Covid times. The same way race tracks made their online transition, most sports betting platforms found their way into the palms of desi players.

Largely Favoured by Society

A positive attitude to betting is assumed in a similar manner to most developed markets, as sports betting has always been legal in English-speaking countries. The average desi person does not perceive occasional betting and real-money wagering as something to be pursued.

Media reports estimate that $200 million switch hands around every ODI match. Online betting has been proven more popular in states where local betting services are formally illegal (e.g. Telangana, Karnataka, Maharashtra) and where offshore sites get most of their players.

Given the market size and potential, rather than surrendering to hawala bookies, the Justice Lodha Committee had already proposed steps towards legalizing sports betting back in 2016.

Enticed by “Easy” Money

The lure of monetary gains is undeniable even for occasional punters. Those who know sports well view it as a quick and almost fail-safe way of proving their point and earning a legitimate addition to their income.

Then again, newcomers more than anyone tend to blame losses on misfortune. Most players try to find a solution and improve in the future, turning betting into a sort of stock market occupation. While making a big hit is always the dream, the general view is that wagering on sports is justified “if you know what you’re doing”.

Negative Perceptions Persist

Objections to sports betting are inevitably inspired by the risks tied to illegal bookmaking. Underground markets symbolize the social and financial evils that a moral society wishes to eliminate. Such concerns are often present in political speeches and media accounts.

Organized Crime and Black Markets Still Thriving

Historic references to back-alley betting make the rational connection to D-Company or other local organized syndicates. Many of those channel black market money to drugs and other criminal dealings.

Crime-related cash flows are hard to track and bring revenue losses to the government. More importantly, illegal betting offers no protection to players and no guarantees whatsoever. In the end, black markets also hurt social redistribution and much-needed welfare programs.

The Stigma of Problem Gambling

Problem gambling might become an issue even for those with no apparent lack of willpower. When they lose, some players suffer psychologically even more so than financially. This, on the other hand, brings back the issue of a well-regulated market.

Addictions and problem gaming are better addressed through spending limits, government monitoring and support programs rather than blanket bans. Education and awareness campaigns have the power to reach the public at large and protect it from illegal and unlicensed operators.

Is Match Fixing an Issue?

Considering the social value of sports, the desi public is quite alert to issues of sport integrity. The 2013 match-fixing scandal hurt the IPL image and raised the question of corruption in sports.

Bookies are seen as facilitators while there are more influential middlemen that people might suspect of unfair dealings. Raising industry standards, bottom-up, is certain to improve accountability and decrease bribes and regulatory neglect.

Putting the spotlight on rules and licenses has proven to decrease match-fixing concerns. By setting up a strict regulatory regime India can eliminate fake and unscrupulous operators in all sports-related sectors.

The Moral Dilemma of Legalization

As we’ve seen, regulating the sports betting market is justified by a number of economic and social benefits. Despite that, politicians remain noncommittal and many businesses that fuel the big machine of sports remain without government recognition.

The Law Commission stressed the importance of formal legalization in a 2018 report, while the nation’s industrial and commercial chambers (FCCI) pitched in favourably a year later. Across the Union, in cities big and small, unlicensed figures should be kept outside people’s sports and pockets if the government wants to protect a sizable and passionate portion of desi society.

One thing we cannot ignore is the rise of digital platforms, from fantasy sports leagues to mobile betting apps. They have become a convenient and natural way of following competitive sports from around the world and putting in your own two cents’ worth, whether in terms of knowledge, passion or real money.

Whenever authorities realize that most Indians would readily support the legalization of sports betting – under precise regulations – we might at last see a quick change in legislation and market practices, State by State.

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