Is Cricket Betting Legal in India?
Contents
In this article, we discuss whether online cricket betting is legal anywhere in India and look at the current laws related to betting on cricket. We also consider whether betting on IPL is legal and demonstrate that online cricket betting is here to stay. We explain why 4rabet is the perfect vehicle for online betting on cricket.
Where Is Online Cricket Betting Legal in India?
While betting and gambling are becoming increasingly popular and generating a lot of revenue in India, Indian laws have not been sympathetic to chances of game and probability. The sole exceptions are the states of Sikkim and Goa.
Goa the First State to Make Gambling Legal
Goa was the first Indian state to legalise gambling in 1992 when the state government legislated to allow casinos in the state. However, Sikkim remains the only state that permits online gambling.
Sikkim the Only State to Address Online Betting
The state government of Sikkim enacted the Sikkim Online Gaming (Regulation) Act in 2008. On 4 March 2009, the state government issued a memorandum titled the Sikkim Online Gaming (Regulation) Rules, 2009, which was an extension of the existing law. These legislations allowed website operators in Sikkim to offer online betting services to residents of the whole of India. However, on 19 August 2015, the Sikkim state government amended the original act of 2008 to restrict the offering of games by gaming websites in Sikkim to people living within the geographical territory of Sikkim.
Cricket Betting Laws in India
Whether or not betting on cricket is legal in the country, millions of Indians are continually placing their bets on the game. However, gambling laws are conspicuously silent on online betting, thereby providing a loophole for gamblers to exploit.
Is IPL betting legal?
The Indian Premier League (IPL) has become the most popular cricket contest in India and arguably the world since it began in 2008. “Is IPL betting legal?” is a question many people ask, as millions of Indians are engaged in betting on IPL matches both online as well as with brick and mortar bookmakers.
Gambling as defined by the Public Gambling Act of 1867
In India, “gambling” has been defined in the Public Gambling Act of 1867. Section 12 of the above law exempts “games of skill” from the definition of gambling.
In 2013, legal action was taken against former Indian cricketer S Sreesanth and 35 others who were accused of betting and match-fixing during the Indian Premier League cricket tournament held that year.
Delhi District Court Says Betting on Cricket Is not Gambling
In 2015, the Delhi District Court acquitted the 36 accused individuals in the betting and match-fixing case mentioned in the previous paragraph. The court made an interesting observation on whether cricket was a game of skill or a game of chance. The court held that cricket required “extensive training, practice and expertise and skills in the players.” The court observed that considering such factors as ability, hand-eye coordination, knowledge, mental alertness, practice, precision, stamina, speed, strength and study, cricket was a game of skill, NOT a game of chance.
Encouraging Sign for the Future
In making the observation, the Delhi District Court referred to the earlier decision issued by the Supreme Court of India in a case entitled K. R. Lakshmanan v. State of Tamil Nadu, in which the Supreme Court observed that betting on horse racing was a game of skill, as the person placing a bet could assess factors such as skills and fitness of a horse and jockey. However, the Delhi District Court is a lower court and therefore its order will not serve as a judicial precedent (case law). But the order itself is an encouraging step suggesting that sports betting will become legal in the whole of India in the foreseeable future.
Online Betting Is Here to Stay
Millions of cricket fans in India engage in legal cricket betting online as the gambling laws in India largely avoid reference to online betting. As online gambling websites are mostly located in countries that permit such gambling, the Indian government cannot do anything to stop such betting activity. Even if the government decided to block such sites, people could use such technical devices as VPNs to access gambling sites.
How Bettors Can Make Deposits and Payments
Many banks in India do not allow the use of debit/ credit cards for payments to and from online gambling websites. Nevertheless, there are many ways bettors can sidestep such hurdles. They can route such deposits and payments through e-wallets such as SKRILL and NETELLER.
Why Choose 4rabet?
While betting at 4rabet, you can enjoy a premium betting experience. Here’s why:
Best Odds
The odds we offer are amongst the best in the betting industry. By betting at 4rabet, you can hope to earn high returns thanks to the high odds we offer.
Secure Payment Methods
At 4rabet, you will find your preferred secure payment methods. We offer a wide range of choices, allowing you to get a safe and quick transfer of your winnings.
The Biggest Competitions
If you are looking for a betting site that covers all the big competitions you wish to bet on, 4rabet is the right place for you. We cover the biggest cricket competitions happening worldwide, whether it’s the Indian Premier League, the Ashes, or the Big Bash League.
Live Cricket Betting
Our in-play options will allow you to bet on matches as they unfold. With dynamic odds that change with every twist and turn of the game, you are assured of an exciting betting experience.
Cash-Out Options
We also offer you the option of cashing out — you can get payouts sooner than you expect. You may want to cash out early on a bet that is going your way. We allow you o do so.
High Betting Limits
We offer high online betting limits. As a bettor, you may mainly choose to gamble with a smaller stake. But you would also like the choice of an occasional big bet. We afford you that choice.
