Is Bet365 Legal in India?
Verified and updated: 13 December, 2024
Bet365 is one of the leaders in the betting world. The company has been operating since 1974 and is trusted by more than 60 million players. It is owned by Hillside (Sports) ENC, which strictly adheres to the standards of interactive betting. The licence from the Malta Gaming Authority confirms the reliability of the website.
Is Bet365 legal in India? Yes, federal law does not prohibit registration and online betting on international betting platforms. This means that Indian users can play without fear of liability.
Bet365 is not only about betting, but also about security. The company supports the UEFA Champions League and IBIA, and co-operates with the International Betting Integrity Association. So there is no need to doubt the company’s honesty.
What Types of Bets are Legal
Gambling is governed by old and modern laws. Knowing which bets are allowed and which are not, it will be easier to avoid problems. First it is worth to understand the basic documents that control gambling in India.
Public Gambling Act 1867 is the main law prohibiting the operation of physical casinos and sports betting shops, unless otherwise established by regional laws. But there is an exception. The law says nothing about bets placed over the internet, especially on overseas sites. This means that Bet365 is legal in India and is authorised to provide services to a local audience.
How is Betting Different from Gambling?
Loyalty to gambling entertainment in India is determined by the dependence of the outcome on the level of training, skill and experience. There is a category of skill-based games that require strategy. And there are games with random outcomes that depend on the work of a random number generator.
For example, betting on sports involves in-depth analysis of events, so it refers to games of skill. Such entertainment is allowed in many states. But lotteries, roulette, and card games, the outcome of which depends on luck, are prohibited in most regions.
Regional Laws
The authorities of individual states have the right to independently regulate the gambling market. That is, the legality of betting depends on the location:
| Staff | Legal status of bets | More info |
| Sikkim | Physical casinos and online platforms are permitted | Licences are issued by local authorities |
| Maharashtra | Gambling of any kind is prohibited | The only exception is the state lottery |
| Meghalaya | Online sports betting is allowed | Games of skill are governed by state laws |
| Kerala | There is no explicit ban on the use of foreign sites | Certain types of lotteries are permitted |
| Goa | Physical casinos and online platforms are permitted | One of the few states in which casinos operate legally |
| Tamil Nadu | Any kind of online gambling is prohibited | A strict law has been passed to ban online gambling in 2022 |
| Nagaland | Online sports betting is allowed | Licences are issued under strict supervision |
| Andaman and Nicobar Islands | Formally regulated by the laws of the central government of India | Betting is allowed as long as it does not violate federal laws |
| Delhi | There is no explicit ban on the use of foreign sites | Formally, there are no laws regulating the rates |
| West Bengal | Lotteries and certain types of betting are permitted | One of the few states where lotteries remain popular |
| Karnataka | There is no explicit prohibition on the use of foreign platforms | The situation has been changing, with a temporary ban on gaming in 2022, but it was later lifted |
| Uttarakhand | Online sports betting is allowed | Licensing initiatives are supported |
| Telangana | All types of gambling are prohibited | Online betting also falls under the category of prohibited betting |
Why is Betting at Bet365 Legal?
Bet365 is legal in India as it does not violate the federal laws of the country. The website is registered overseas and operates under international law. Indian laws do not regulate foreign betting platforms providing online betting services.
Betting in India is in a grey area, but that doesn’t mean it’s illegal. If you choose a site with an international licence and operate within the law, you are protected from legal risks. Bet365 is one such betting operator that offers safe conditions for Indian users.
Is It Legal to Bet on Football in India
Football betting is an area where the interests of players, the law and business collide. The issue of legality is controversial, as the situation remains not fully resolved. The Public Gambling Act 1867 prohibits offline games, but says nothing about online games. The legal vacuum creates loopholes for players and football betting companies.
Most Indians bet through international betting sites. They operate under the licences of countries with clear betting laws. Bet365 legal in 200 countries, which is confirmed by the MGA/B2C/531/2018 licence. It provides transparency, user protection and a wide range of markets for football betting.
New players can count on a welcome bonus – 50 USD. To participate in the promotion you only need to register and deposit 10 USD or more, without promo code. Credit funds are suitable for betting on any football leagues and championships – from the UEFA Champions League to the Italian Serie A.
But keep in mind that even if a site is licensed abroad, its operation in India is technically in a grey area. Neither players nor betting platforms can be sure of legal defence in case of disputes.
Betting on football in India is a legal maze due to which players have to rely only on their own awareness. Until a decision is taken at the federal level, the situation remains uncertain. But if you play on licensed sites and abide by the laws of your state, you can minimise the risks.
Is It Legal to Bet on Cricket in India
The annual turnover of the cricket betting market in India is estimated at USD 150 billion. And more than 80 per cent of bets are on Indian Premier League (IPL) matches. But the question remains: is it legal to bet on cricket matches?
Indian gambling laws are based on the Public Gambling Act 1867, passed 150 years ago. For obvious reasons, it does not regulate digital platforms. This leaves betting on the IPL, ICC World Cup, The Ashes and other tournaments outlawed.
Where is Cricket Betting Banned?
Attitudes towards cricket betting vary from state to state. There are regions where any type and format of games is prohibited:
- Maharashtra;
- Telangana;
- Andhra Pradesh;
- Tamil Nadu;
- Karnataka.
There is no ban on international sites in Delhi and Uttar Pradesh, but the authorities are developing additional regulations to restrict the operation of foreign companies. At the same time, there are states that favour a liberal approach to betting. Sikkim and Goa have legalised both physical casinos and online betting. Meghalaya and Nagaland allow games of skill and cricket fits into this category.
Cricket betting in India remains in a grey area. This gives players opportunities, but it also creates risks. Until federal laws change, much will depend on site selection and adherence to local regulations.
Is It Legal to Bet on eSports in India
The turnover of cyber sports betting in the world exceeds USD 12 billion. In the last five years, the audience of cybersports in India has grown to 500 million people. The most popular betting disciplines are Dota 2, CS:GO, League of Legends, PUBG Mobile and Free Fire. But how legal is cybersports betting in the country?
As with cricket, the Public Gambling Act does not regulate online betting. A gap in the law allows local players to bet through international sites. But states have the right to set their own regulations.
In Telangana, Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, any gaming, including interactive betting, is strictly prohibited. Karnataka and Tamil Nadu have equally strict restrictions. But Sikkim, Goa, Nagaland and Meghalaya do not prevent betting on cyber sports games on licensed sites.
Why Choose Bet365 for Cyber Sports Betting?
Bet365 is a site that covers all popular PC gaming tournaments and matches. Predictions are accepted for The International for Dota 2, BLAST Premier for CS:GO and MSI for League of Legends and local championships in many countries.
The benefits of betting on cyber sports through Bet365:
- Wide betting line. Matches on CS:GO, Dota 2, League of Legends, Rainbow Six Siege, Call of Duty and other games are covered.
- Live betting. TV broadcasts of top competitions with live betting are available.
- Bonuses. New players receive up to 4,500 rupees in bonus credits on their first deposit. Money can be spent on any type of betting – from cricket and cybersports to water polo.
Bet365 has created a good environment, but cyber sports betting in India remains outside the legal framework. The lack of clear laws creates risks for users. If you want to minimise them, choose only licensed sites.
FAQ
Is Online Betting Legal in India?
Interactive betting is not federally regulated. The Public Gambling Act 1867 prohibits offline gambling, but does not mention betting on digital platforms. This creates legal loopholes that are exploited by international sites.
Is Bet365 Operating Legally in India?
Yes, Bet365 operates under the international licence MGA/B2C/531/2018. The company complies with the laws of the jurisdictions in which it is registered and accepts players from India without violating local regulations.
Which States Ban Online Betting?
Online betting is banned in the states of Maharashtra, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka and Tamil Nadu. As of 2024, it is possible to use the services of foreign sites in other regions.
What Guarantees Does the MGA Licence Offer?
The MGA (Malta) licence confirms that Bet365 operates transparently, protects user data and adheres to responsible gambling standards. It is one of the most trusted licences in the world.
Do I Have to Pay Taxes on My Winnings?
Yes, there is a 30% tax on gambling winnings in India. Bet365 does not automatically withhold the levy, so players must declare their income themselves.