India – Legal Commission Recommends Legalizing Sports Betting in India

The Legal Commission of India has made a proposal to the Government in the name of "Legal Framework: Gambling and Sports Betting, Including Cricket in India," thus recommending the legalization of sports betting in the Indian subcontinent.

The report, which was commissioned by the Supreme Court, claims that the ban on sports betting hardly works and that a licensing system should instead be alaned to give licenses to Indian operators by any regulatory authority. It also highlights the growing interest in online gambling, especially with regard to cricket match predictions, that has made its way into the hearts of Indian bettors.

There is no realistic alternative to a comprehensive and effective regulation of the activity identified, for it is impossible to completely prevent it. This way, issues like money laundering, etc. would be dealt with.

For such gambling regulation, a three-pronged strategy would be necessary: the reform of the existing gambling market (lotteries, horse racing), the regulating of illegal gambling, and the implementation of strict, comprehensive rules. The bets be aligned to money associated with PAN and Aadhaar Cards; the law should specify how much is bet; there should be an upper limit on how much one can wager legally in gambling which could bear some relation to deposits, winnings, or losses.

The Commission proposed two categories: proper gambling and small gambling, the former corresponding to the higher stakes. A proposal was made to limit the number of transactions in a set timescale.

According to the report, "The nature of bets should be restricted to ones having a monetary value, such as vehicle registration number and AADHAAR cards. The amount for betting been already prescribed under law, having its upper ceiling fixed on the amount which can be legally bet in gambling, based on deposits, winnings, or losses." "In doing so, the regulation will permit the authorized authorities to recognize and preclude instances of gambling by minors and 'problem gamblers' as well as protect the public from any inconvenience to law enforcement officials. It will further allow the government to track and curb the threat of shadow money conjured up by illegal gambling," the report adds.

The All India Gaming Federation (AIGF) said that "Regulators may cooperate with operators across the globe to share intelligence on acts of wrongdoing, including match fixing." Transparency in the market can be achieved through this."

Cultural Aspects and Attitude Towards Gambling

Boasting a 1.4 billion population, India has surpassed China and stands at the highest position as the most populated nation. To top it all, with the blossoming economic growth, about 60% of Indians now have access to a stable internet connection. Long considered a third-world nation, India is on its way to some level of prosperity where the number of paying players and bettors is growing on a daily basis. But when promoting gambling offers in India, keep in mind these few pointers:

• In some parts of the country, the internet is quite slow, so it's important to understand internet coverage to select suitable regions.
• Advertising campaigns should use techniques similar to those in third-world countries: focusing on a luxurious lifestyle and its various aspects. But avoid crossing the boundaries of conditions agreed with advertisers.
• Indians are highly religious, so avoid using images of cows and other religious symbols in a negative context when promoting offers.
• The wealth level of Indians varies from region to region, with the most prosperous areas being Ahmedabad, Mumbai, and Bangalore.
• The Indian Premier League (IPL) generates a massive traffic surge in India.

Behavioral Aspects of Indians Online

It is estimated that more than 140 million people in India regularly play online games. During the IPL season and other similar events, this number rises to around 370 million. The overall online betting market in India expands 20% each year, with the bulk of this growth coming from cricket. Cricket is a big deal in India, and since online betting has emerged, more and more of this field is coming into the light of regulation, rendering the illegal aspects of it almost irrelevant. In the next 5-10 years, the cricket betting market will continue to expand rapidly. Nearly 40% of the population with Internet access has, at least once, visited an online betting site, most particularly for cricket match predictions.

Indian internet users frequently visit numerous popular platforms such as YouTube, Yahoo, Google, and Reddit, while they spend hours on Instagram, Facebook, Telegram, and WhatsApp. Growth in mobile traffic is propelling this sector forward (roughly 80% of all traffic). Important points to consider when starting the mobile user targeted campaign:

• India is the number one country in terms of active Facebook users.
• Telegram is the favorite messenger of Indian gamblers and bettors.
• Most mobile users in India use tablets and smartphones running Android OS.
• Video is the preferred type of content for locals (97% watch videos at least once a month). The next most popular are streaming TV, online games, and sports betting.

Statistics indicate that the majority of the engaged players in gambling and sports betting in India are young people aged 18 to 24. Their attention could be drawn in, by conducting video-oriented campaigns that concentrate on the following platforms.