Best eSports Casinos in India: Top 10 Casino Websites 2024

Online casino operators have also contributed a lot towards the increased popularity of gambling in India. For starters, they offer thousands of different gambling options, including sports betting, virtual casino games, live games, and slots, among many others.

Esports betting is among the fastest-growing of all the options. Other ways in which casino operators contribute to gambling growth include offering lucrative bonuses, providing easy payment options, and running effective marketing campaigns.

Online esports betting is fast going mainstream in the Indian online gaming scene. With punters constantly scouting for the best eSports betting sites India, the number of bookies covering eSports events keeps growing.

History of esports betting in India

eSports betting in India is relatively new. However, as mentioned earlier, it is still growing at a breakneck pace. For starters, the number of online platforms that offer eSports betting India has grown to thousands. That is because Indian punters can now access international online casinos that offer eSports betting markets. Most of them make it even more convenient by allowing transactions to be made using the local currency despite being international sites.

The history of gambling in India

Many experts claim that gambling in India dates back to 7300 BC. That is mainly based on what is described in the famous mythological Ramayana story, which mentions dice and boards used for gambling. The story also depicts a positive attitude towards gambling, indicating that it was generally accepted in the community. The Mahabharat, written around 3200 BC, describes a rather negative attitude towards gambling. Historical experts claim that gambling might have spun out of control when the Mahabharat was written and was not generally accepted in society.

Despite the negative attitude depicted in the Mahabharat, gambling continued to prevail in India. For example, Buddhists used nuts of the Vibhitaka trees as dice in the early 300 BC. The game called Passa was later introduced when astragali replaced dice. Additionally, Indians also began gambling on animals. Such gambling included betting on ram fights and cockfights. That later progressed to betting on horse races.

Esports nowadays in India

The more recent history of gambling in India entails transitioning from traditional gambling to modern online options. That came about during the mid to late 1990s after the internet entered the public domain. At the time, very few people knew about online gambling. The government also imposed hefty taxes on online casino operators, which discouraged them from operating. It took several years and influence from Europe and America to popularize online gambling in the country.

Sports betting played the most significant role in popularizing online gambling in India. That is particularly true for cricket, which to date is still the most popular sport in the country.

Significant changes in the history of gambling in India

One significant change to the gambling industry in India in recent history happened in 1867. That was when the Public Gambling Act was passed into law. The law resulted in nearly all casinos closing down as most gambling games and lotteries became illegal. However, the business continued to thrive underground. After gaining independence, the 29 different states in India were allowed to govern gambling themselves. As a result, gambling became legalized in some states, albeit with numerous regulations.

Future of esports betting in India

Currently, eSports betting accounts for approximately 5% of all forms of online gambling, which is significant considering how relatively new it is compared to the traditional markets. Experts predict that the percentage will more than likely triple within a few years. They also expect that eSports betting will eventually be the most popular online gambling market. That is because eSports events are reliable, given that they are typically the least affected by any natural occurrences, as was proven during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. eSports betting is also quite fun.

eSports betting providers are will also play a significant role in the growth in India. For starters, they will more than likely introduce more betting opportunities, feature more new and innovative games, and provide lucrative offers to attract more punters. Improving technologies and increased access to the internet will also contribute to the growth of eSports in India.

Are casinos legal in India?

India's legal status on gambling is rather complex. For starters, gambling is governed independently by each state. That means gambling is considered legal in some states and utterly illegal in others. In the states where gambling is illegal, the punishments for the offense also vary. In the states where gambling is not prohibited, such as Sikkim and Goa, there are several limitations regarding which games can be played.

According to the Gambling Act of 1867, all forms of gambling that were present at the time are technically illegal except in states that have officially made independent state laws to legalize them. However, there are some ambiguities regarding eSports legislation. That is mainly because no act has been passed into law that specifically prohibits the citizens from esports betting India. That is especially the case when betting on eSports from a casino based outside the country.

The Indian government has also been reluctant to punish punters who bet on eSports events. Many citizens, including those from states where gambling is illegal, have been gambling on eSports for many years now, and no particular case has ever stood out regarding the issue.

Betting acts in India

The Public Gambling Act of 1867

This act was a central law that governed all the Indian states when parliament passed it. According to the law, running gambling operations or being in charge of one was illegal. The punishment for doing so included a fine or imprisonment of up to three months. The act also prohibited citizens from visiting any gambling houses. The sentence for visiting gambling premises also included a fine or imprisonment of up to one month.

The Prize Competition Act of 1955

The Indian parliament passed this act in 1955 to restrict all gambling activities that had prize awards as winnings. The act banned all competitions that offered a prize of more than 1000 rupees for winning a number, picture, crossword, puzzle, or alphabet competition.

The Information Technology Act 2000

The government implemented this act to control cyber activities, which were not covered by any pre-existing law in India. However, the act failed to mention words such as betting or gambling, leaving it open for interpretation by the courts. The matter is yet to be examined further or reviewed, providing a loophole for online punters to operate within the law. Online gambling is specifically prohibited under the Bombay Wager Act in Maharashtra state.

The Telangana State Gaming Act of 1974

A majority of the Indian states consider games of skills to be legal. That is not the case in Telangana and Arunachal Pradesh, which follows the Telangana State Gaming Act. This act finds skill games illegal.

The Goa, Daman, and Diu Gambling Act of 1976

This act legalized several forms of gambling in five-star hotels and offshore vessels. The act also subjected the implementation to various conditions, such as paying non-recurring and recurring fees.

The Sikkim Regulation of Gambling Act 2005

This act made Sikkim the second state in India to legalize gambling. The act gives authorities the power to authorize gambling activities on specific days or to license gambling houses at their discretion. The act also legalized internet gambling.

Other notable acts and policies that regulate the gambling industry in India include the Payment and Settlement Act of 2007, the Karnataka Police Act of 1963, and the J&K Public Gambling Act of 1977, among others.

Indian players' favorite games

Out of the hundreds of different esports games available, some specific ones seem more popular than others in India. That is especially the case among professional punters. Some of the contributing factors to the popularity include lucrative prizes, the fun factor, and the number of betting opportunities the games offer. Below are a few popular eSports games in India.

Counter-Strike: Global Offensive

This multiplayer first-person shooter game has been among the most popular esports games since it was released in 2012. It helped to change the landscape in India quite significantly as it acted as a gateway for many Indians to discover the numerous esports games available for them to enjoy.

Dota 2

Dota 2 is an online multiplayer battle arena game played by two teams with five players on each side. The game is quite common in India because it allows friends to collaborate to beat opponents. Also, Dota 2 tournaments usually feature very lucrative cash awards, attracting numerous teams from India and many other countries. That contributes a lot towards the game's popularity.

Player Unknown Battlegrounds

This eSport game is widespread among casual Indian players. Up to 100 players can play at a time. The players are dropped onto a map, and each one strives to be the last one remaining on the map to win the game. It has more than 30 million active users in India.

Payment methods in India

Bank Cards

Bank cards are India's most popular payment method, particularly debit and credit cards. Using bank cards is usually relatively easy as it entails only typing in the details of a valid card and authorizing the transaction. However, bank cards are typically used for deposits only.

Mobile Banking

Mobile banking is another popular payment alternative in India. That is usually done through banking apps provided by various banks. By using the apps, punters can transact anytime and anywhere using their mobile devices.

Mobile wallets are also very popular in India. Users can link mobile wallets with credit or debit cards to help load an account. They can then transfer money to and from a mobile wallet conveniently. Some of the benefits of using mobile wallets over banking cards include faster processing time and the possibility of requesting withdrawals from online casinos.

Aadhaar Enabled Payment System (AEPS)

AEPS refers to a banking model that allows interoperable financial transactions online at a micro ATM or point of sale via the business correspondent of any bank but using the Aadhaar authentication. The payment method is only available in India.

Unstructured Supplementary Service Data Payment (USSD)

USSD Payment is an innovative mobile payment service that allows users to make payments without an internet connection. It uses the unstructured supplementary service data channel, making it possible to make payments even using a basic mobile phone. This option is quite handy for the underbanked in India.

FAQs

Is Online Betting Legal in India?

Online betting is legal only in specific states. The different states where online betting is legal also have various rules regarding the online betting opportunities that punters can exploit.

Can the Local Currency Be Used When Betting in International Casinos?

Some of India's best eSports betting sites allow Indian players to use the Indian rupee as the currency for all their betting transactions, including international casinos. That ensures punters do not need to worry about currency exchange rates.

Is eSports Betting Popular in India?

eSports betting is still in its growing stages in India and generally worldwide. It is still relatively new compared to regular sports betting and casino games such as slots. However, it has the highest growth rate regarding popularity, a good indicator that it is likely to be among the most popular betting markets in the future.

How Should a Punter Choose the Best eSports Betting Site?

Punters need to consider several factors when choosing an eSports betting site. Such include the variety of eSports games offered, payment options, reputation, and user-friendliness. Punters can also check reliable casino ranking sites for more guidance.

Top-rated eSports gambling sites in India