In India, millions of people are devoted to the sport of cricket. This heightened curiosity has given birth to the question – is online betting app legal in India? They have long been a part of Indian culture and have risen in popularity. However, due to the lack of clarity surrounding the legality of sports betting in India, black market betting has flourished. Let’s trace the evolution of betting on cricket in India.
Origins of Cricket Betting in India
Cricket betting has been popular in India ever since the 18th and 19th century, when the British ruled the sport. During cricket matches between British teams, it was normal procedure for troops, officials, and merchants in the British Empire to place bets. The outcomes of these bets were often determined by chance, such as the winner of the toss or the player with the highest batting average.
Because of cricket’s growing popularity in India, spectators in the country’s many cities are placing wagers on the matches. The gambling customs of colonial India were heavily affected by the extensive betting culture of England. Small-time bookmakers in India began taking bets on the results of domestic cricket tournaments as they formed across the country at the beginning of the 20th century.
Growth of Cricket Betting from 1950s to 1980s
After India’s independence, the country’s love of cricket and betting on it grew, especially when the Indian national team played a growing number of matches abroad. By capitalising on the public’s enthusiasm in cricket and the lack of effective gaming regulation, bookmakers turned betting into a business.
After starting out at stadiums, bookmakers eventually expanded their activities to include providing betting services over the phone and telegraph. Betting on individual deliveries and overs became popular. The popularity of one-day international matches coincided with an increase in overall betting volume during the 1980s.
Cricket Betting Explosion in the 1990s
The 1990s were a watershed decade that saw the beginning of the transition of cricket betting in India into a massive underground industry. During the one-day format of cricket, novel betting markets such as highest opening partnerships and batsman runs arose.
India’s rise to the position of worldwide centre for cricket betting can be linked to the country’s emergence as a powerful cricket team and a popular destination for international tours. Cricket and wagering became more accessible to tens of millions of Indians because to television transmission. Important betting scandals, such as the match-fixing controversy that happened in the year 2000, brought to light the prevalence of illegal betting on Indian cricket.
2000s Onwards – Cricket Betting Goes Mainstream
In the 21st century, cricket betting has become mainstream entertainment for many Indians. With sports betting online, smartphone apps and convenient digital payment options, more people find it easy to bet on their favorite sport.
The glamorous Indian Premier League has increased cricket’s popularity and betting volumes, especially impacting youth. Liberal marketing and promotions by illegal offshore betting sites contribute greatly to attracting punters. Despite periodic betting scandals, the unfettered growth of cricket betting continues.
Current State of Cricket Betting in India
At the moment, the great bulk of cricket betting occurs through unregulated websites and mobile apps, resulting in significant revenue shortfalls for the government. Match-fixing remains a problem because dishonest bettors can still find ways to illegally influence the outcomes of sporting events. However, new legislation to legalise sports betting is being proposed in India, which is a move in the right direction.
Conclusion
Betting on cricket, a sport strongly rooted in Indian culture, generates an estimated three lakh crore rupees in wagers each year. For decades, this industry has thrived. Despite its humble beginnings, match rigging and corruption were spurred by betting’s huge potential. There is confidence that, with technological advancements and policy changes, it would be able to establish legal, regulated betting markets on cricket that will maximise benefits for both the economy and the integrity of sports.