Summary
- Illegal gambling continues to be a persistent challenge across India, with the industry expanding year after year.
- Around 28% of all betting activities are channeled through offshore and illicit gambling companies.
- The unstoppable force of illegal gambling is casting a shadow over the regulated industry.
Despite strict regulations, illegal gambling still thrives across India. Through digital channels, these operators relentlessly advertise their services, drawing in millions. Every year, this shadowy market sees impressive double-digit growth, underscoring the persistent challenge it poses.
Black-market gambling sector grows by 30% per year
Local media recently shed light on a staggering revelation: the illegal gambling market in India is valued at a jaw-dropping $100 billion. This underground industry isn't just massive; it's rapidly expanding, with black-market gambling growing by about 30% each year. Alarmingly, nearly 28% of betting happens through operators who lack the necessary licenses. The battle against this illegal activity is relentless. Just this past summer, Hyderabad police managed to dismantle an illegal horse betting operation, involving over 100 bettors and a black-market company handling almost $1 million in transactions. Yet, the struggle against illicit gambling is far from over. In the first half of 2025 alone, authorities recorded nearly 3,000 cases tied to illegal online gambling and scams. Meanwhile, these unlicensed operators saw a surge in visits and revenue during the 2024 cricket IPL season. The data reveals that black-market betting sites attracted more than 1.6 billion visits from avid players across India, eclipsing the 1.2 billion visits recorded by the country's four licensed operators during the same period. This stark contrast underscores the ongoing challenge and urgency in curbing illegal gambling, as it continues to thrive in shadowy corners, outpacing legitimate betting options.
Illegal betting firms undermine the legal sector and lure customers with attractive offers
The numbers we see today, along with the yearly increase in illegal gambling, highlight the stubborn strength of the black market, which continues to challenge the legal gambling industry. This is happening while countless players across India are put at risk since these illegal betting companies ignore the rules meant to protect them. Through aggressive ads on platforms like YouTube and social media, unscrupulous operators reach out to numerous potential gamblers. It’s no shock that offshore betting sites attract customers with promises of better odds, bigger bonuses, and enticing promotions. Yet, every customer who chooses these platforms steps into danger, as these operators do not have to follow India’s gambling laws. This troubling data surfaces just as India’s parliament is considering a full ban on online gambling.
