From IPL betting apps to underground bookies—how gambling is reshaping the cricketing experience in India
Cricket is India’s heartbeat, a sport that transcends boundaries, unites diverse communities, and ignites unparalleled passion. From street games in small towns to the electrifying atmosphere of packed stadiums, cricket is woven into the nation’s cultural fabric. The Indian Premier League (IPL), with its glitzy T20 format, has elevated this obsession to new heights, drawing billions in viewership and revenue. However, beneath the surface of this sporting spectacle lies a burgeoning shadow economy: gambling. Fueled by the rise of betting apps, underground bookies, and encrypted social media channels, gambling is transforming how India engages with cricket. This 2,500-word exploration delves into the legal ambiguities, cultural shifts, economic impacts, and ethical dilemmas of cricket betting, particularly during the IPL, while weighing the case for regulation.
Growth of Fantasy Sports Users in India This chart illustrates the rise in fantasy sports users, highlighting the IPL’s impact.
The Legal Landscape: Navigating a Colonial Relic
India’s gambling laws are rooted in the Public Gambling Act of 1867, a colonial-era statute enacted when cricket was a leisurely pastime and the internet was unimaginable. The Act prohibits running or visiting a “gambling house,” imposing fines or short jail terms, but it lacks clarity on online betting, creating a legal vacuum. As gambling is a state subject under India’s Constitution, enforcement varies widely. States like Goa and Sikkim have legalized casinos and lotteries, capitalizing on tourism, while Andhra Pradesh and Telangana impose blanket bans, targeting even skill-based games. This patchwork approach has left online betting in a gray zone, exploited by offshore platforms and local bookies alike.
The distinction between games of skill and games of chance is pivotal. Indian courts, including the Supreme Court in cases like R.M.D. Chamarbaugwala v. Union of India (1957), have ruled that skill-based games are exempt from gambling laws. This has legitimized fantasy sports platforms like Dream11, which require users to analyze player statistics, pitch conditions, and team strategies. A 2017 Punjab and Haryana High Court ruling affirmed Dream11 as a game of skill, paving the way for a fantasy sports boom, with 140 million regular users and a peak of 370 million during the IPL. Conversely, betting on match outcomes—dependent on unpredictable events like a dropped catch or a rain delay—is deemed a game of chance and remains illegal in most states.
Offshore betting platforms like Betway, 1xBet, and Parimatch exploit this ambiguity. Hosted in jurisdictions like Curacao, Malta, or the Isle of Man, these sites claim exemption from Indian laws, offering bets on everything from match results to individual deliveries. While individual bettors face little risk of prosecution—arrests typically target bookies or syndicate operators—these platforms expose users to fraud, data theft, and unregulated practices. The 2021 Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines) Rules mandate that intermediaries block gambling content, but enforcement is sporadic, with sites rebranding or using mirror domains to evade bans.
Fantasy sports, while legal, blur the line with gambling. Platforms like Dream11, My11Circle, and MPL offer cash prizes that mimic betting payouts, prompting critics to question their classification as skill-based. The 28% GST on online gaming, introduced in 2023, has brought fiscal oversight but increased costs for users and operators. Legal challenges persist, with states like Tamil Nadu attempting to ban even fantasy sports, only to face court reversals. The lack of a unified national policy fuels confusion, leaving India at a crossroads: regulate betting to control it or maintain a prohibition that drives it underground.
The IPL Effect: A Betting Bonanza
Launched in 2008, the IPL revolutionized cricket, blending sport with entertainment, corporate sponsorships, and Bollywood glamour. Its fast-paced T20 format, star-studded lineups, and prime-time broadcasts have made it a global phenomenon, drawing 980 million viewers in 2024 alone. For bettors, the IPL is irresistible. Industry estimates peg India’s sports betting market at ₹8,20,000 crore ($100 billion annually), with 80–90% tied to cricket, and the IPL as the crown jewel. The tournament’s short matches, high-scoring thrillers, and frequent upsets create a perfect storm for betting, amplified by micro-betting options like wagers on a single over, a batsman’s runs, or even the toss.
Live betting and real-time odds have supercharged this frenzy. Offshore platforms like Dafabet and Bet365 provide dynamic odds that shift with every ball, synced with live streams and detailed analytics. This immediacy transforms spectators into active participants, blurring the line between fandom and speculation. Social media amplifies the trend, with Telegram channels like “Cricket Betting Guru” and WhatsApp groups run by figures like “Malik Mumbai” offering real-time tips, often for a fee. These platforms claim insider knowledge, exploiting the IPL’s high stakes and emotional pull to lure bettors.
However, this accessibility raises concerns about match-fixing. The 2013 IPL spot-fixing scandal, involving players like S. Sreesanth and bookies linked to underworld figures, exposed vulnerabilities in cricket’s integrity. Players were accused of conceding runs or bowling no-balls for prearranged bets, shaking public trust. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) responded with stricter anti-corruption measures, including player education and monitoring, but the unregulated nature of illegal betting platforms complicates enforcement. The Law Commission’s 2018 report argued that legalizing betting could curb fixing by bringing transactions under scrutiny, yet political and cultural resistance—rooted in fears of corruption and moral decay—has stalled progress.
The IPL’s economic impact is staggering. Mukesh Ambani’s JioCinema, which streams the IPL, uses brain-mapping studies to optimize ads, generating billions in revenue. Meanwhile, banks process trillions in UPI transactions during the IPL, many linked to betting. The tournament’s cultural dominance, coupled with India’s digital infrastructure—1.2 billion mobile users and cheap data—has made it a catalyst for both legal fantasy sports and illegal betting, reshaping the cricketing experience.
Popular Platforms: Legal Giants vs. Illicit Networks
The digital revolution has democratized betting, splitting the ecosystem into regulated fantasy sports and illegal betting networks. Legal platforms like Dream11, My11Circle, and MPL dominate the skill-based gaming space, endorsed by IPL franchises and celebrities like Virat Kohli and Shah Rukh Khan. Dream11, valued at $8 billion, allows users to build virtual teams based on real-world performances, with winnings taxed at 30% under the Income Tax Act. These platforms offer user-friendly interfaces, INR-based payments, and responsible gaming features like spending caps, attracting 140 million regular users. Their legitimacy is bolstered by court rulings and partnerships with sports bodies, making them a cornerstone of India’s gaming economy.
Illegal betting platforms, however, operate in the shadows. Sites like Betway, Dafabet, and Rajabets, hosted offshore, offer bets on match outcomes, player performances, and even obscure events like the number of wides in an over. Supporting cryptocurrencies, UPI, and e-wallets, they ensure seamless transactions but lack oversight, exposing users to risks like non-payment, fraud, and data breaches. The Enforcement Directorate’s 2023 crackdown on the Mahadev app revealed ties to money laundering, with ₹6,000 crore in illicit transactions traced to Dubai and Curacao. Despite bans, such platforms rebrand—Mahadev resurfaced as “Mahakaal”—highlighting the challenge of enforcement.
Social media has become a breeding ground for underground bookies. Telegram channels with thousands of followers and WhatsApp groups run by local “agents” offer betting tips, odds, and direct wagers. These networks are agile, using encrypted platforms to evade detection and surrogate ads to skirt bans. Influencers, including former cricketers, promote these services, often without disclosing risks, drawing scrutiny from regulators like the Advertising Standards Council of India.
Risks & Consequences: A Social and Economic Toll
Cricket betting’s rise has profound consequences, particularly for India’s youth. With 370 million users engaging with gaming platforms during the IPL, addiction is a growing crisis. Psychiatrists report a surge in “gambling disorder,” fueled by apps designed to exploit psychological triggers like instant rewards and push notifications. Real-life tragedies underscore the stakes: a 19-year-old in Delhi lost ₹1.5 lakh in 2021, while a Telangana family’s 2023 suicide was linked to ₹3 million in betting debts. Low-income groups, lured by promises of quick wealth, are especially vulnerable.
The Supreme Court’s 2025 PIL on betting apps highlighted the role of influencers, noting that Bollywood stars and cricketers promote platforms without risk warnings, unlike tobacco or alcohol ads. Illegal platforms, lacking responsible gaming measures, exacerbate addiction, offering no support for users facing financial ruin. Economically, illegal betting drains $150 billion annually from India, evading taxes and potentially funding criminal networks, as seen in cases like Mahadev.
Match-fixing scandals further tarnish cricket’s credibility. The 2013 IPL case and the 2000 Hansie Cronje scandal fuel perceptions that betting corrupts the sport. While the BCCI’s Anti-Corruption Unit has improved monitoring, illegal platforms’ anonymity makes fixing harder to trace. The social stigma of gambling, rooted in cultural narratives like the Mahabharata’s dice game, adds complexity, framing betting as a moral failing rather than a regulatable activity.
Regulation & the Way Forward: Global Lessons
The debate over legalizing betting in India pits economic benefits against social risks. Proponents argue that regulation could generate ₹12,000–19,000 crore in annual tax revenue, curb match-fixing through transparent transactions, and protect consumers via licensed operators. The Law Commission’s 2018 report proposed a framework with Aadhaar-linked KYC, cashless payments, and betting caps to prevent addiction. States like Karnataka and Chhattisgarh are exploring regulated models, distinguishing skill-based games from gambling.
The UK and Australia offer blueprints. The UK’s Gambling Act of 2005, enforced by the Gambling Commission, regulates betting with strict licensing, age verification, and addiction support, generating £3 billion in taxes annually. Australia’s Interactive Gambling Act of 2001 bans in-play online betting but allows pre-match wagers, balancing freedom with control. Both nations enforce responsible gaming measures, like self-exclusion tools, that India could emulate.
Opponents, however, cite cultural and social barriers. Gambling’s historical stigma, reinforced by religious and moral objections, fuels resistance. The Supreme Court’s 2025 PIL likened betting to intractable social ills, though it sought the Centre’s view on regulation, signaling openness. A hybrid model—central oversight with state-specific rules—could address regional concerns while curbing illegal betting’s harms.
Conclusion: Balancing Passion and Peril
Cricket betting in India is a high-stakes game, driven by the IPL’s allure and digital innovation. Legal fantasy sports offer a regulated outlet, but illegal platforms and underground bookies exploit gaps, endangering users and cricket’s integrity. Regulation could harness economic benefits while mitigating risks, but cultural and political hurdles remain. As India navigates this crossroads, a balanced framework—learning from global models—could protect fans, curb corruption, and preserve cricket’s sanctity. Until then, the line between passion and peril grows ever thinner.