Tracking Down the Best Cricket Websites in India: What to Look For, Bet Types and More

Welcome to the home of all cricket entertainment! We’re here to help you learn all there is to know about cricket betting and how you can track down reputable online cricket betting sites. Additionally, we’ll be talking about the different bet types you can come across.
We’ll also be throwing in some tips and tricks to help you have a more enjoyably experience online. Are you ready to start placing some serious bets?!
Is Online Cricket Legal in India?
First things first. Let’s get the most difficult part of this guide out of the way. Legal stuff is never fun, but it’s important to know where you stand if you’re interested in online betting sites. Seeing that India’s betting laws are all over the place, we feel that a brief overview of any important statements is essential. So, let’s right get into it.
You may be wondering why India’s gambling laws are some of the strictest in the world. It all boils down to the fact that the country still abides by regulations that were issued way before the advent of the internet. In this case, we will refer to the Public Gaming Act of 1867.
Since this legislative document is 154 years old, there’s obviously no mention of what online gambling is. At the time, nobody had access to the advancements in technology that we have nowadays, so it’s understandable. But why is the Indian government still relying on such laws in this day and age? Truthfully, we can’t answer that, however it seems that lawmakers are still stuck in the past.
So, you may now be wondering what the contents of the Public Gaming Act are. Well, there’s a lot to talk about so we’ll keep this short. For starters, it is stated that the operation of gambling houses, the assisting and visiting of venues, financial gambling, as well anything remotely related to gambling is strictly prohibited. Anyone caught engaging in such activities would either have to pay a fine of ₹200 or a 3-month prison sentence.
Other statements include the following: “Nothing in this Act shall apply to any game of mere skill, as distinguished from a game of chance or a game of chance and skill combined, unless it is carried on in a common gaming-house.”
And on that note, it’s time to talk about what is meant by Games of Skill and Games of Chance.
Games of Skill Vs Games of Chance
India classifies forms of gambling into two; Games of Skill and Games of Chance. But what is the difference between the two?
First up we’ve got Games of Skill. This relates to the bets places on a person’s skill or abilities. For example, cricket betting falls under the Games of Skill umbrella since you are placing bets on teams, players, matches and so on. Then we’ve got Games of Chance; this category outlines other forms of gambling that work with the Random Number Generator.
The problem lies here; one can’t really define what can be classed as a game of skill or a game of chance. This is due to the fact that although luck plays a major role here, you need to have a good understanding of games like blackjack and poker to be able to beat the house.
So, what does mean? Can you still sign up to online cricket betting sites?
Cricket Online Betting
The short answer is you can’t sign up to betting sites since the service is not yet legalized in India. Due to the fact that the country’s lawmakers are still abiding by outdated laws, we can’t see online betting being legal in the near future.
Most states don’t even mention online betting in their laws. In fact, only a handful of them have updated their anti-gambling laws to also refer to betting sites India. On top of that, betting operators have had to deal with more acts. A prominent one included the Information Technology Act of 2000.
Given that the contents of this act include web-based betting and gambling, one would assume that the government would reach some sort of common ground that would keep operators happy, whilst still abiding by the law.
Nevertheless, this act doesn’t even give a proper definition of what online betting is. To add insult to injury, operators were actually barred from offering their betting services to enthusiasts following the introduction of blocking servers.
And there’s more. Andhra Pradesh has recently introduced more regulations. In this respect, the laws outline are similar to what was stated in the Telangana Gaming Act, 1974. In this case, the new regulates state that all forms of online gambling should be banned, including games of skill. Needless to say, this caused an uproar. At the time of writing, this issue is still being challenged in front of the High Court of the state.
Although we can’t see India making significant progress in the coming months, it’s not all bad. In fact, the state of Sikkim is currently at the forefront of introducing more realistic rules that would keep everybody happy. In fact, this state has recently made betting legal, following the Sikkim Online gaming Act, 2008. In this respect, betting providers can betting sites and their services in India.
Furthermore, the state of Maharashtra is also considering the possibility of introducing laws that would make sense in 2021. We’re still awaiting the verdict, but it’s still good to see that some states are open to change their view on cricket betting sites and other forms of gambling.
As opposed to betting operators, the situation isn’t that bad for players who just want to create an account with an Indian betting site. In fact, the laws state that bettors can indeed place bets at offshore online cricket betting sites. You just have to keep in mind the following rules:
- All offshore online cricket betting sites need to have a valid license showing it’s 100% legit. This shows that the Indian betting site in question is doing things by the book.
- To create an account and place bets on your preferred IPL betting sites, you need to be at least 18 years old. (Always check the T&Cs set by you respective Indian betting site, as some providers may require to you to be at least 21.)
- Offshore online betting sites in India have to be Rupee-friendly / offer suitable alternatives that work for Indian players
How can Indian Find the Best Cricket Betting Sites in India?
We all know that the despite the strict regulations, the Indian gambling market is growing at a steady pace. Just by doing a quick google search, bettors are treated to hundreds of betting sites in India.
That said, we don’t want you to sign up to just any cricket betting site. We want you to find the best online betting sites in India. Lucky for you, we’ve been working in the field for years now, so we know exactly what works and what doesn’t.
Below, we’ve outlined some of the main points that we think can make or break online cricket betting sites. Of course, personal preference does play a role here, but at the same time you need consider the following key points. So, let’s get right to it.
Find a Reputable Licensed Platform
We’ll start off with one of the most important points. Always find betting websites in India that are licensed. In other words, this isn’t the time to take shortcuts; if you want an enjoyable betting experience in a safe environment, you need to make sure your chosen provider is legit.
Although this is all stated in legislative documents, you should do this to ensure that you’re not being scammed in any way. Whilst it’s good to see that the market is growing, unfortunately some blacklisted casinos still manage to find their way online. Trust us when we say you don’t want to find yourself in a situation where the betting experience is rigged from start to finish.
So, can you know if a platform is licensed? Easy! Start by keeping an eye out for the respective logos of the following gaming bodies: Malta Gaming Authority, the UK Gambling Commission, The Gibraltar Regulatory Authority, and the Kahnawake Gaming Commission. You can also check whether your preferred cricket betting sites in India have additional documents that support the claim.
Adding to that, reputable online cricket betting sites will always have SSL tools that will help protect the platform from hackers and other fraudulent activity. In this way, you’ll know if you can trust the provider in question or not. We won’t beat around the bush; if you’re a betting experience that is thrilling, but also safe, you need to do everything right from the get-go.
Rupee-Friendly Platforms
We’ll be talking about this in more detail at a later stage of this guide, but we still want to add this key point to our list. Simply put, if you want to avoid high conversion rates and other hidden fees, it’s your best bet is to always go for online betting sites in Indian rupees.
At the same time, you also have to consider the possibility that some providers don’t offer the currency just yet. In that case, we recommend betting sites in India that offer great alternatives such as Neteller, Skrill or Trustly.
Compelling Features
And this is the part where personal preference comes in. In this case, you really need to do your research carefully to make sure that the provider in question features everything you’re looking for.
When we talk about compelling features, we’re talking about elements such as the following: the types of bets offered, if bonuses and promotions are available, if you can get in touch with the customer service team 24/7, if the platform is mobile-friendly and so on. You get the point.
What we’re trying to say is that you need to decide whether you’ll be getting your money’s worth when you sign up to a particular provider. Especially if you’re new to the scene, you need to shop around a little. In this way, you can compare and contrast. For example, it doesn’t make sense to sign up to an online casino that only offers casino games, when in reality, you’re after cricket betting.
Just think about what you really want from your experience and only then should you click on the sign up button. Below, you’ll find an additional list of great points that will help you find the best betting sites India:
- A Valid License showing the platform in question is 100% legit
- Bet Variety– Matches, Teams and Players
- Superb Bonuses and Promotions
- Fair Terms and Conditions
- Reasonable Wagering Requirements and Fair Time Limits
- Online Betting Sites in Indian Rupees
- A Plethora of Banking Solutions with Low Fees (E.g. Neteller, Trustly, Skill)
- 100% Mobile-Friendly
- Great Customer Support & Live Chat
If you’re still not sure where to start, we highly recommend you to check out News18 Cricketnext. Although this is primarily a news portal, you can get a better idea of what you can expect when you sign up to online cricket betting sites. You can check out the match schedule, any results you may have missed, along with the live score and rankings. You can also view photos and videos of the hottest matches of the seasons.
Signing Up to Indian Cricket Betting Sites
Once you’ve finally found an Indian betting site that that works for you, there’s only one thing left to do – sign up of course! Since you’ve just dipped your toes in the world of cricket betting, we understand that you may have some difficulty to get started. However, we can assure you that the registration process is as easy as 1, 2, 3!
You’ll be happy to know that online cricket betting sites like to keep things simple. As a rule of thumb, you’ll only be asked for personal details that will help verify your account. Along with that, you may need to issue a deposit to be able to claim your cricket betting welcome bonus. Other than that, it’s not rocket science. It only takes a couple of minutes!
Regardless, we’re still going to break down the whole process for you. We want you to enjoy your time from the get-go – nobody enjoys fiddling around with registration details, we get it. For this reason, we’ve broken down the whole process below in 5 easy steps:
- Launch your Indian betting site of choice
- Sign up/Log in
- Submit your personal details – name, address, email address, contact numbers
- Issue a deposit to claim your cricket betting welcome bonus
- Get betting!
The Most Popular Bets Offered at Betting Sites in India
So, it’s time to raise the stakes. In this section of the guide, we’re going to talk about the most common bets that are likely to be offered by online cricket betting sites. You’ll be happy to know that the bet variety is huge; in fact, you’ll soon find out there’s a bet for every thrilling moment that happens during a cricket match! In other words, you’re spoiled for choice.
To highlight a few, you can place bets on the number of runs that occur during a match, particular players and even on other random moments such at the coin toss at the start of the match. And on that note, here is the full list of bets with additional details:
- Match Bet: A Match bet needs no introduction. It is one of not the most popular cricket bets offered at some of the best online betting sites in India. All you have to do is place your bets on the team is has a good chance of winning the match. It’s that easy.
- Match Score: Want to place bets on the number of runs carried out during a match? You can do just that by opting for a match score bet. From your end, you need to purchase a number from your respective Indian betting site. Next, you need to predict whether the team will score lower or higher than your chosen number.
- Win Toss: Online cricket betting sites also offer less complicated bets that aren’t necessarily related to the match or player in question. In fact, did you know that you place bets on the team that you think will win the coin toss at the start of the match? What’s more is that the odds of winning this bet are higher since you only have to choose between two options.
- Series Winner: In case you didn’t know, cricket is generally played in a series, rather than just one match. In this case, your job is to place your bets on the team that has a high probability of winning the entire series by the final match.
- Man of the Match: Do you think there’s one player that stand out during a cricket match? If so, the Man of the Match cricket bet gives you the opportunity to do just that! Not bad at all right? Just keep in mind that odds differ from one player to another. So, it’s best to check rankings and compare and contrast odds between one betting site and another.
- Top Bowler: The Top Bowler bet is used to predict which bowler will take the highest number of wickets.
- Top Batsman: This Top Batsman bet is used to place bets on the most runs carried out by the batsman.
- Mode of Dismissal: If you want to place bets on how the batsman is dismissed, now’s your chance to just that! This bet is self-explanatory; all you have to do is place bets on the way that you think the batsman will be called out of the match.
Are Online Cricket Betting Sites in Indian Rupees Available to Indian Players?
We’ve mentioned this briefly in an earlier section of this guide, so you already know what the answer is. But just in case you missed it, the answer is yes – you can find online cricket betting sites in Indian rupees.
Due to the fact that the Indian betting market is growing at a rapid rate, it is now easier to find rupee-friendly options. In fact, more leading online cricket betting sites names are making sure that their platform offers something special for Indian players who are interested in signing up. This includes the rupee currency and the possibility of setting the language to Hindi.
At the same time, you also need to think ahead in case the provider you’re interested in doesn’t allow you to pay in rupees. It’s important to note that more and more providers are working towards offering the dream betting experience to all players who sign up. That said, you’ll also find operators who can’t offer what you’re looking for – in this case the Rupee currency, for some reason or another.
So, if you’re set on issuing deposits and withdrawals in Rupees, it’s best to do your research prior to signing up. In this way, you don’t have to don’t have to deal with any unexpected surprises once the deed is done.
That said, you should also consider other alternatives if you’re interested in what the provider in question has to offer. In fact, some of the best cricket betting sites allow you to use web wallet such as Neteller, Trustly and Skill. The best part about this is that although there may be some fees involved, they’re not too hefty.
The Top 10 Cricket Bookies in India
We’ve reached the end of this guide! And what a journey it’s been! We’ve talked about legal matters related to online betting in India, we’ve discussed common bets you can place, and we’ve even given you some tips and tricks that will surely come in handy at some stage during your experience.
We’ve also talked a lot about what really makes a betting site stand out. At this stage, it’s only fair to point you in the right direction to find a provider that works for you. If you really want the best online cricket betting sites, we can’t think of anyone else but Inner Change Mag. This is an affiliate website that has teamed up with only the best providers. Needless to say, there’s something for everyone.
In fact, you’re bound to find our favourite top betting sites listed there. Without any further ado, check ‘em out below!
- LeoVegas Casino
- 888 Sport
- Dafabet
- Sportsbet
- Betway
- Spin Sports
- 10 Cric
- Royal Panda Casino
- FunBet
- 22 Bet
Check out more casino guides for Indian players, below: