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In casinos, we often hear phrases like good luck and good fortune. Not surprising, really, given how the majority of casino games are based primarily on chance, though some would claim that success is also down to mathematics and algorithms.

In any case, luck plays a crucial role in gambling, and many gamblers will have their own rituals they perform before games or even lucky charms they carry to improve their chances of winning.

Hinduism, one of the oldest practising religions in the world, believes in positive and negative energy, which could define your moves and outcomes. Furthermore, there are several ways one can channel these energies, whether through prayer or certain objects such as charms or symbols. We shall discuss these in more detail below.

Many Indians strongly believe in analysing their birth chart in every aspect of their life. This comes from Vedic astrology, which argues that the alignment of different celestial bodies at your birth can provide invaluable insights. In the case of betting, it could highlight a person’s gambling and risk-taking tendencies and subsequent strategies they could employ to maximise their chances of winning, translating into profits and success.

Astrology and numerology

Hindus love to rely on their favourite numbers, particularly when it comes to gambling, and generally prefer odd numbers over even. Seven and eight are considered auspicious numbers, representing success and prosperity. Many Hindus also use these numbers at the time of Diwali when, in some houses, gambling is a ritual. Another lucky sequence of numbers in Hinduism is 786, representing the Trinity of Brahma, Vishnu, and Shiva.

Statista reports that in 2024, India's online gambling market will hit $2.9 billion, driven by the increase in smartphones, with everything from slots and table games to rummy and Teen Patti available to play on mobile.

Today, India has over 900 million internet users, 40% of whom have gambled on online gambling platforms at least once. So, not only are brick-and-mortar casinos in states such as Goa, Sikkim, and Daman booming, but regulated online casinos are also fast becoming popular. 

Fantasy sports are thriving, with millions of young Indian players signing up to sites such as Parimatch and Dream11 to play cricket, hockey, football and kabaddi, among other popular sports. Learn more about casinos' impact on Indian youth in recent years and why people are shifting more towards this billion-dollar sector after the pandemic.

A survey report revealed that there are 759 million active internet users in India (71% of the country), and by 2025, this figure is expected to hit 900 million. The growing number of mobile devices with fast internet, such as 5G, will boost the iGaming industry. Almost 31 million smartphone users upgraded to 5G in 2023, and 39% are willing to pay more for higher data usage on these plans.

As high-speed internet becomes more accessible, we expect to see a shift from land-based casinos to online casinos, which allow gamblers to play from the comfort and convenience of their homes or while on the move. Let’s take a look at how India’s gambling industry has transformed over the years and shifted towards a modern gambling system.

In modern India, gambling has become a popular pastime, and you can enjoy a range of classic casino games such as blackjack, roulette and baccarat alongside traditional Indian games like rummy and Andar Bahar. Discover how gambling games played in India have evolved over the years below.