Indian gambling and sports betting industry: The latest trends

As one of the fastest-growing and most modern industries on the planet, gambling as a whole is constantly advancing beyond what was previously thought possible.

Trends are chasing each other and overlapping, more and more countries are loosening their laws and regulations, and new technologies like cryptocurrencies and blockchain are becoming more mainstream. On top of it all, it is happening in both classic casino-style gambling and sports betting.

The market is on a big rise, particularly in developing economies and markets such as India. The fact that the subcontinent has the most people out of all other regions in the world only adds to the popularity of this famous pastime activity.

On the side of casino gambling, online platforms have been increasing in both numbers and quality, expanding their library of games with classic titles and games that are taking traditional local ones and adapting them for the virtual world.

Similarly, sports betting services are extremely popular in the current day and age. These platforms are at their top when the domestic cricket league is on, from March to May, which means that right now it is the best time of year to be a fan of the Indian Premier League and cricket in general.

Other sports are, of course, also quite popular among the fans of wagering. If this sounds like something you want to learn more about and try yourself, a trusty crypto casino would be the best option for you. In addition to that, read on to learn more about the latest in the Indian gambling market. 

The Indian Premier League is heating up 

We start off the trend talk with the biggest thing in sports (and therefore betting) that happens in India every year. The best cricketing league on the planet, the coveted IPL, is well underway with most teams playing their fifth game.

Some are fairing far better than the rest and are already making their case for the title. With the halfway mark of the season slowly approaching and the 14th and final game for each team slowly creeping up on the horizon, some great betting odds are coming our way. 

The current leaders in the standings are the Gujarat Titans, which have four wins and one loss. They are good for 8 points with an NRR of +1.413. In second place are the Delhi Capitals, which have three wins; they are the only team still left to play their fourth game. They have 6 points and +1.257 NRR. In third and fourth, with 6 points each, are the Royal Challengers Bengaluru and Punjab Kings, with the same record of 3 wins and one loss, but the former has a better NRR of +1.015 over +0.289. It would not be a stretch to say that one of these will end up winning the title at the start of May. But what do the odds say?

At the moment, the Royal Challengers are the leaders in the outright bets with 4.50 odds to take the title. Behind them in second place are the Kings, who have 5.50, and the Titans, who have the same odds. Delhi Capitals are fourth with 6.00, after which there are Lucknow Super Giants with 9.0 odds and Mumbai Indians with 10.00. 

As for the top tournament bowler, a very popular bet every year, Noor Ahmad is leading the odds with 8.00 odds. Behind him are Mohammed Siraj, Josh Hazlewood, and Mitchell Starc, all with 9.00 odds. Rounding up the top 5 candidates that bettors choose is Shardul Thakur, who has 10.00.

A similarly enticing bet is the top tournament batsman, right now being headlined by Nicholas Pooran with 7.00 odds. In the second, we find Sai Sudharsan with 7.50 and then two players with the same odds of 9.00, Kannanur Rahul and Virat Kohli. In the fifth spot is Joseph Buttler with 10.00. 

If you enjoy following the betting trends and like to gamble on what is currently hot and interesting, here are some upcoming games that are drawing the attention of the punters. On April 10, the Royal Challengers hosted the Capitals in one of the derbies of the season as it was the two of the top-ranked teams going head to head. Bengaluru were the favourite at home with 1.65 odds while the Capitals were at 2.00. On April 11, the Chennai Super Kings at 1.85 welcomed the Kolkata Knight Riders at 1.75 in what should be a hard-fought game if the sportsbook odds are to be believed. The away team is a slight favorite in this one. 

On April 12, two games were on schedule, first a very narrow duel between the Giants and the Titans, again a match between leading teams. The home team gets a very small odds advantage of 1.80 versus 1.85. The second game has the same odds for the home and away teams when the Sunrisers Hyderabad welcome the Punjab Kings. It is a great couple of days of amazing cricket action so make sure to get involved and keep up with the gambling trends in the country. 

The megaways slots craze

Another big trend in India right now that deals with the popularity of gambling and its many varieties comes in the form of online slots. There are countless slots available for the players to pick, but what many in India seem to focus on is Megaways, a very successful and popular brand of games by Pragmatic Play, the iconic provider and publisher of some of the best online slot machines available right now.

Megaways slots like 5 Lions, Raging Waterfall, Dog Mansion, and Pompeii are very popular and widespread in India, both for their interesting themes and visuals and fun gameplay elements. With such a variety and attention to detail, as well as sequels and special versions of some of their most popular titles, there is something for everyone to enjoy. But what do these slots have in store that others do not and how are they different than other, more traditional varieties? 

The very term Megaways refers to the many ways in which a player can win in the game, often over 100000 different combinations and possibilities. Such a wide variety of potential scenarios for winning makes it a great option if you want to maximize your chances of winning and have more opportunities to turn your deposits into a larger withdrawal amount.

The main feature of such a slot is the expanding game grid that delivers tens of thousands of ways to win per single round. Traditional slots have fixed numbers of pay lines, usually from about 10 to 20, but megaways options take that all the way up to six digits. This instantly makes them a more appealing option for the sheer amount of ways to win. The number of symbols appearing on each reel changes every spin and matching mechanics across multiple reels change with them. It is not a simple down, across, and diagonal scheme, but all sorts of different lines that bend, intertwine, and go all over the screen. 

Playing Pragmatic Play’s megaways slots on Stake.com is arguably the best course of action due to the fact that they have some exclusives that are available nowhere else. The platform is very popular for its own set of Stake Originals, but it also allows other publishers to host exclusive content that they do not allow others. Some of the best megaways exclusives to play on Stake’s service are Dog Mansion, Merlin’s Madness, Madame Mystique, Jackpot Planet, and Snack Attack. Of course, many others are also worth your time and money like Buffalo King, Muertos, Power of Thor, Trillionaire, Ancient Island, and Release the Kraken. No matter which you choose, you will be met with addicting and interactive gameplay, wonderful graphics and sounds, and best of all, countless ways of winning money that are not available on other slots. These games are very popular in India right now so make sure to try them out. 

Tips and advice for betting and gambling 

Trends come and go, but one always remains and is therefore crucial no matter who you are and what your go-to type of wagering is. That would be the practice of healthy and safe gambling. To do it responsibly and keep your health and finances safe, you should always remember to use licensed and regulated platforms instead of dodgy and shady casinos. It is better not to gamble/bet at all than do it with an untrustworthy platform. Do not chase losses and never attempt to get back what you lost by any means necessary. 

Set time and money limits and respect your decisions, walking away when the time is up or/if you spend however much you said you would. Avoid gambling under emotional distress as both positive and negative emotions can influence your decision and cause you to make bad decisions. Finally, be cautious with personal and financial data and never give it away easily. Crypto casinos are the best option for this as they are the safest and most anonymous of all. 

FAQs about gambling and betting in India 

Oftentimes, the best way to learn about a topic is through the most frequently asked question about a topic. And when it is as broad as gambling in the most populous country on the planet, it becomes ever more beneficial to talk about it this way. So here are some of the most interesting FAQs about the trends of gambling and betting in the Indian subcontinent. 

1. Is online gambling legal in India? 

Online gambling laws in India vary by state and while there is no comprehensive national legislation that legalizes or bans all forms of online gambling, states like Sikkim, Goa, and Nagaland have some legal provisions. However, most states still prohibit or restrict online gambling, which is bound to change in the coming years.

2. What types of gambling are trending in India right now?

As is the case in other areas of the world, several types of gambling dominate in the country. They include fantasy sports, online casino games like slots, online teen patti and rummy, esports betting, live sports betting on cricket and football, online poker, and crypto betting. 

3. Is cryptocurrency used for gambling in India?

Yes, it is a riding market as it exists outside of typical laws on gambling. Offshore platforms and services accept Bitcoin, Ethereum, USDT, and many other tokens for both deposits and withdrawals which attracts both domestic and foreign gamblers to the country. 

4. What are the biggest sporting events for betting in India?

To the surprise of absolutely nobody, the Indian Premier League (IPL) is the number one option for anything relating to sports, including betting. It is followed by the ICC Cricket World Cup and then the most popular football leagues in the world like the English Premier League, La Liga, and the UEFA Champions League. A sport that is gaining traction and bettors every year is the Pro Kabaddi League and esports (video games) tournaments in the most popular games like League of Legends, Valorant, and Counter-Strike are also constantly on the rise.

5. Are there any new gambling regulations planned for 2025 and beyond?

The government of India, as well as those of individual states, is considering a central framework for regulating online gambling since the interest is growing rapidly. It will pay special attention to the issues of protecting minors, preventing financial fraud, addressing addiction, and introducing taxation compliances. More work is also being done on the front of cryptocurrency, both outside of gambling and as a part of it. 

6. What is the future of betting and gambling in India?

It is often said that, worldwide, gambling and betting have very positive futures. It is poised for growth with regulation in India as well with a massive user base and ever-increasing internet access. Top-tier technology is becoming cheaper and easier to come by and the fintech infrastructure is evolving rapidly. India is a huge market and regulated online casinos, blockchain betting, and skill-based gaming apps are surely in the near future of the country.