Gambling is a complex issue in India. On one hand, most forms of betting are currently illegal. On the other, millions participate every year in the country’s thriving underground gambling industry. This article will explore 23 statistics that reveal the true state of gambling in India today.
Highlights
● India’s online gambling market revenue is projected to grow at an 8.59% CAGR from 2024-2027
● 12.17 million users are expected to occupy India’s online gambling space by 2027
● Online gambling games saw a 40% spike during pandemic lockdowns
● Legal sports betting crossed $2 billion in 2021
● 4 in 5 Indians admit to gambling at least once a year
● The annual growth rate of India’s online gambling market is 29% from 2024-2028
Online Gambling Market
India’s singular, century-old gambling law does not account for internet and smartphone use. This has allowed online betting to thrive in a legal gray area:
1. Casino games hit $39.38 million in revenue in 2022. Games that simulate physical casinos, often involving real money, fall under online gambling.
2. The online casino games market is projected to reach $74.26 million by 2027, reflecting a 12.22% CAGR from 2022. As more users get comfortable playing these games online, revenues will likely rise.
3. In 2022, average revenue per casino game download was $0.59. Though it seems small, multiplied across millions of downloads, significant profits are made. Breakdown:
○ In-app purchases: $23.26 million
○ Paid apps: $0.14 million
○ Advertising: $15.88 million
4. India’s online gambling market is poised to grow 8.59% yearly from 2024-2027. The total market, encompassing gaming, sports betting, and casinos, is valued at $2.72 billion in 2024, expected to rise to $3.77 billion in 2027.
5. An estimated 12.17 million users will occupy this space by 2027, up from 9.93 million in 2024. While convenient and entertaining for many, this growth raises gambling addiction concerns nationwide.
6. Average revenue per online gambling user could reach $291.83, or over 23,000 rupees. Considerable spending explains the push for regulation over outright bans by some citizens. Suggestions include age verification and advertising limits.
7. During pandemic lockdowns, online gambling games spiked 40%. Games involving real money saw the highest growth as housebound Indians sought entertainment. Fantasy sports experienced massive engagement bumps.
8. India comprised 15% of global gaming traffic during lockdowns as millions of new users flooded online platforms. The country hit an upward inflection point for international gaming activity.
Sports Betting
India’s legal sports betting landscape is complicated. National laws are ambiguous, while state regulations are inconsistent. Still, betting manages robust revenues:
1. Legal sports betting hit over $2 billion in 2021, though only 3% of the global market. This signals major room for growth considering India’s vast population.
2. Around 80-90% of regulated sports betting revenues come from cricket, India’s undisputed favorite sport introduced during British rule. With built-in audiences and familiarity, cricket betting sees intense engagement.
3. Cricket betting alone could surpass $2 billion
in 2024 as the industry rapidly expands following the pandemic dip. Approximately 140 million Indians bet regularly, swelling to 370 million during major tournaments.
4. 340 million placed bets during 2021’s Indian Premier League (IPL) cricket tournament and football World Cup. Despite strict laws, these mega events reliably drive mass informal betting participation.
5. In 2022, Indians bet around $700,000 on Parimatch, an offshore platform allowing access to betting markets banned domestically. With few local options, offshore sites fill demand.
Offline Gambling
While most offline gambling is banned under the Public Gaming Act, these activities still see widespread participation:
1. 4 in 5 Indians admit to gambling at least once yearly. Estimates show 80% have engaged despite illegality, signalling an inclination spanning demographics.
2. India’s offline gambling market valuation exceeds $1.2 billion, excluding sports and cricket betting. A lack of regulation caps market size, but global comparisons indicate massive latent potential.
3. In India, prize competitions are restricted to fewer than 2,000 entries and cash prizes below 1,000 rupees monthly. Even minor real money contests categorize as illegal gambling under unfavorable laws.
4. Goa’s Deltin Daman Casino holds over 1,000 slot and video poker machines, catering to wealthy tourists and serving as a rare legal gambling haven. Only 20 licensed casinos operate in 2 small Indian regions.
Gambling Addiction
Gambling addiction afflicts citizens nationwide as India lacks resources to treat this disorder:
1. 17 suicides linked to online gambling occurred over 3 years in Tamil Nadu, including heavily indebted mother of 2 Bhavani. This tragedy prompted a state ban on online gambling to prevent social costs.
2. Children gambling online can lose over $1,000 daily, according to child safety nonprofits. Underage users fall prey to tactics encouraging addiction and excessive spending without adequate protections.
3. A 2016 study found 7.4% of South Indian college students were problem gamblers, associated with greater academic and mental health issues. Online platforms raise youth gambling participation and addiction risk.
4. In a poll, 80.9% of Indian psychiatrists reported treating gambling addiction, though 74% receive no formal training in this specialized disorder. Demand overwhelms underdeveloped treatment infrastructure.
Market Growth
Despite unfavorable laws, India’s gambling sector sees mounting revenues as investor interest rises:
1. Since 2021, real money online gambling platforms have seen 20% annual investment growth. Capital flooding into offshore and gray market operations indicates strong profit potential if regulations progress.
2. From 2024-2028, India’s online gambling market should expand 29% yearly. Though banned, experts predict growth driven by increasing user bases and investor appetite as legal clarity inches forward.
Gambling occupies a complex space in India today. Much activity deemed illegal still attracts vast demand and investment, suggesting that updated regulations rather than outright bans may better serve citizens. As technology spreads and culture shifts, India’s gambling industry appears primed for major growth.
FAQ
Is gambling fully legal in India?
No, most forms of gambling remain effectively banned under 1867 federal law, though some states implement local exceptions. Sports betting and online casinos occupy legal gray areas.
How many Indians gamble online?
Surveys suggest around 40% of Indians have engaged in some form of online gambling, though precise user numbers are hard to quantify due to legal status.
Why are bans implemented if gambling thrives underground?
Some Indian states pursue bans due to concerns around addiction, debt, and suicide, hoping to curb access. Critics argue regulation allows gambling to be properly monitored instead.