🇮🇳 Illegal Gambling in India – Key Facts and Issues

📈 Market Size & Growth

• Estimated black market size: ~$100 billion.

• Annual growth rate: ~30%.

• Share of total betting: 28% of all betting activity in India is with illegal or offshore operators.

📊 Scale of the Problem

• Visits during 2024 IPL:

  • Illegal operators: 1.6 billion.

  • Legal operators: 1.2 billion.

• Cases recorded (H1 2025): Nearly 3,000 cases related to illegal online gambling and scams.

• Major bust: Illegal horse betting ring in Hyderabad involved 100+ bettors and $1 million in transactions.

📢 How Illegal Operators Attract Users

• Channels used: YouTube, social media, and other digital platforms.

• Tactics:

  • Aggressive advertising.

  • Better odds, higher bonuses, and appealing promotions.

• Risks for users:

  • No consumer protection.

  • Lack of adherence to Indian gambling regulations.

⚖️ Impact on the Legal Sector

• Illegal firms undermine licensed operators by:

  • Offering more competitive incentives.

  • Drawing away traffic and revenue.

• This threatens the viability and growth of India’s regulated gambling market.

🛡️ Regulatory Response & Challenges

• Ongoing enforcement: Police operations continue but are reactive and limited in reach.

• Parliamentary action: A proposal is being considered for a total ban on online gambling.

🧠 Analysis & Considerations

• The digital nature of these operations makes enforcement difficult.

• Player education, stronger digital advertising regulations, and international cooperation may be more effective than a blanket ban.

• A total ban could:

  • Push even more users towards unregulated platforms.

  • Increase scams and financial risk for players.