Three of the most popular ways to bet in India

Betting is part of India’s heritage, evolving from a traditional method of carved-out homemade cards to a digital form that’s saturating the market. From chariot races to dice games, India has had many different ideas in terms of betting, due to the laws which have prevented gambling. At present, it is fully legal to gamble in this country, as long as it is proven that the games require skill. Because of this rule, online betting has started taking over the country — proving to be a fun pastime for Indians everywhere.

Placing a bet has always been one of the country’s most exciting things to do, seeing as we’re centered around cricket and many other sports. Whether it’s predicting a cricket match or gearing up for the overarching excitement of a lottery draw — there’s always something to do when you’re sitting around on a Saturday looking for somewhere to place a bet or two. We’ve worked out some of the most popular forms of betting in India, and are going to run through them as your newest inspiration. No matter whether you’re a seasoned pro, or a newbie looking to take a dabble on the tables, here’s what everyone else rates highly, so you don’t have to dig around for yourself.

1. Sports Betting

Of course, coming up in the top spot is sports betting — seeing as India has one of the most diverse and exciting worlds of sports. Cricket in particular is the hub for sport in India, ever since it came over from England in the early 1700s. The game quickly gained great popularity, becoming a national obsession and growing a vast network of local leagues and tournaments across the country.

The reason there has been a huge surge in this type of betting for all these decades is because you haven’t always needed online formats to get involved. In the past, if you wanted to bet on the Indian Premier League (IPL) or any international Test matches, then you could pop down to your local sports betting shop — without the need for the internet. Today, you can access every sport across the world with a tap of your phone, making this form of betting far more diverse.

Many online betting sites allow this kind of betting, but they also offer a variety of sports — from kabaddi, horse racing, and football, there is something for everyone. The online versions of these betting choices offer up a brilliant user-friendly interface, while also being incredibly secure and safe. You can watch the live updates without even having to watch the game, and you can listen to the experts online while they analyze the gameplay. Overall, sports betting is a growing pastime that isn’t going anywhere.

2. Online casino

We know that physical casinos are limited to places like Daman, Goa, and Sikkim — but online casinos have a far broader reach. They are growing in popularity tenfold, and this is because they offer the widest variety of games compared to any other betting type. For example, after you sign up ready to start enjoying pokies online, you’ll be able to see thousands of different casino games of many varieties.

From made-up fantasy slot machines to real-time live poker, the online casino gives Indians everywhere the chance to play in a casino, with a real-life twist. The majority of the general public tends to own a smartphone, meaning that there has never been an easier way to access this method of entertainment. It’s fun and exciting, and provides you with many types of bonuses when you sign up for the various platforms.

3. Rummy

Rummy is a traditional card game that is legally considered to be one of great skill — hence fully legal across India. It’s an extremely exciting card game that is part of India’s heritage, seeing as it came to the country in the early 20th century. It is mostly used in social gatherings but is also classed as a great way to bet and brush up on new skills. It is a strategy-based card game that segments itself from other forms of gambling — although it offers similar ways to win money. You can now get virtual rummy from your phone, making the ability to play on your own far easier. There are cash games, freeroll tournaments, and many ways to win prize money with this traditional card game — proving that although rummy may come with great history, it’s stepping into the world of technology and bringing in a whole new market.

These three forms of betting make up India’s social sector and are all used in society. Whether you like online games filled with different types of story-based gameplay or are stuck in older ways and love a traditional card game, there will always be something for you to play, wherever you are in India.