Gambling on sporting events in India is rapidly gaining momentum. Analysts estimate that the betting market in the country exceeds $150 billion a year, of which cricket accounts for more than 80%. A significant viewership report confirms that IPL 2023 garnered over 50 crore viewers on Disney Star and around 45 crore on JioCinema. At the same time, football, kabbadi and other disciplines are gaining market share with a variety of betting options. Below is CricketCoachingOnline.com’s detailed review of the key sports for betting in India, their features and the betting operators’ offerings.
The Most Popular Disciplines
The following competitions attract particular attention in India:
- Cricket: IPL, World Cups in various formats, Test matches and intra-regional tournaments;
- Football: English Premier League, FIFA World Cup, Indian Super League and Asian Cup;
- Kabaddi: Pro Kabaddi League, Asian Games, IKF World Cup;
- Tennis: Grand Slams and ATP/WTA national tournaments;
- Horse racing: races at Mumbai, Kalkut and Bangalore racecourses;
- eSports: Dota 2, CS:GO and mobile booster battles, which is particularly popular among the youth.
Cricket is the National Betting Engine
Cricket is rightly regarded as the leading sports entertainment in India. Among the key events, the Indian Premier League (IPL) remains the most significant, combining a dynamic T20 format with attractive odds to provide operators with high betting volumes. In addition, the ICC-sponsored tournaments – Cricket World Cup and T20 World Cup – attract fans to more sophisticated markets, where you can make predictions on the winner of the championship, the top scorer, as well as bet on the total number of sixes and other statistical indicators. Test series and national competitions, such as the Ranji Trophy, are sought after by those who prefer the classic types of betting: the course of a match over several days and the final outcome of the match.
Cricket fans can choose from a wide range of options: predicting the winner of an encounter, handicap bets (forfeits), total score totals, betting on the top scorer or ‘Best Boxer’ – sometimes referred to as the player whose strike contribution is most effective – as well as betting on the number of first four or six and fast live betting on the events in the next over. This range of markets makes cricket an ideal choice for a wide variety of players.
Football is a Fast-Growing Segment
Although football is inferior to cricket, its popularity is growing rapidly due to the availability of international broadcasts and the development of the ISL. The main points of interest are:
- English Premier League (EPL) and other European leagues (La Liga, Serie A) are attracting attention due to high odds on outsiders and live marquee matches;
- FIFA World Cup and UEFA Champions League offer plenty of opportunities to bet on statistical indicators: number of goals, first goal, half-time results;
- Indian Super League (ISL) has become a national phenomenon, increasing the share of football betting to 15% of total betting volume.
Regional preferences are changing, with southern states (Kerala, Tamil Nadu) betting more on European football and tennis, while in the northern part of the country (Delhi, Punjab) domestic tournaments and cricket remain the leader.
Kabbadi is a Unique Indian Heritage
Kabaddi has evolved from a rural pastime to one of the most talked about competitions. The Pro Kabaddi League (PKL) has amassed an audience of over 450 million people since its launch in 2014. Betting enthusiasts can choose:
- The outcome of the match and the winner of the tournament;
- Personal statistics of the players (best raider, most efficient defender);
- Total points in the match and by halves;
- Special offers on super raids and successful defensive tactics.
The high speed of play and predictable round structure make kabbadi suitable for live betting, where you can bet on round events within a second.
Other Types of Betting
Outside of the top three, tennis and horse racing are gaining popularity. The Tennis Australia Open and Wimbledon provide a steady stream of bets on winning games and sets, while horse racing in Mumbai, Kalkutta and Bangalore retains the traditional interest in pari-mutuel and a focus on favourites and underdogs. In cities with historic racecourses, horse racing is officially authorised, giving a clear legal basis for betting.
Regional Characteristics and Demographics
India is a country with a wide variety of cultures and languages. Regional differences are also reflected in the active betting types. The northern region remains the stronghold of cricket and kabbadi, with the largest concentration of betting on home matches. The south of the country actively supports European football and tennis, as well as the new segment of betting on cyber sports tournaments. The East and West have traditionally favoured horse racing and lotteries, but are now actively moving to digital betting services for cricket and football.
Young 18 to 35 year olds make up over 60 per cent of the total online betting audience and female players, although in the minority (around 15 per cent), are showing the fastest growth in tennis and cyber sports markets.
The Future of Sports Betting in India
Forecasts by analysts Deloitte and Statista point to further growth in the market at a CAGR of up to 8% over the next five years. The share of live betting through mobile services, the development of betting exchanges (peer-to-peer), and the active use of AI analytics for personalised offers are expected to increase.
Conclusion
Cricket remains the main betting driver in India, but football and kabbadi are steadily growing their audiences thanks to professional leagues and live markets. Tennis, horse racing and cyber sports complete the picture, offering betting enthusiasts variety. Regional and age groups play an important role in the choice of sports, while legal nuances require operators to be flexible. The introduction of new technologies and services promises to further expand the market, making access easier and betting more fun and transparent.
