Complete Guide to Online Sports Betting in India 2023
There’s no hiding it: sports betting in India is exploding. Nowadays, huge numbers of people are looking to bet on every major sporting event, and many are winning some impressive sums of money when they do. This page is designed to give you a complete guide to online sports betting, so you can place bets like a pro straightaway.
On this page, you’ll find out:
How Does Sports Betting Work?
Sports betting is actually really simple: just choose the market, choose your bet type and then make the bet. You then simply sit back and wait to see if your bet is a winning one. The only things you’ll really need to learn are the different bets offered at sports betting sites, and we’ve explained the most common ones below…
Straight betting
This is the simplest type of betting. Just choose which individual or team you think will win, or whether the match-up will end in a draw. This is the perfect bet for novice sports gamblers.
Pre-game betting
Pre-game betting, as the name suggests, takes place before the game has started. Until in-play betting was invented, this was the only betting option available to punters throughout the world.
In-play betting
This is when a sporting encounter is bet on while it’s still ongoing. For example, you might choose to bet on Virat Kohli hitting a century, after seeing that he’s clearly playing well.
Singles bets
A singles bet is quite simply a bet placed on its own. It is the alternative to an accumulator bet. So, a simple bet on India to win a cricket match, or Manchester City to win the Premier League, is a singles bet.
Accumulator bets
This is when you combine two or more bets into one. For example, you might pick India to beat Australia, plus India to score 300+ in their first innings. All predictions have to be correct to win any money.
Spread betting
In spread betting sports fans will need to decide whether an outcome will be above or below a specified number (called the spread). For example, will India score more or less than 300 runs in an innings?
Understanding Sports Betting Odds
There are three main types of sports betting odds used throughout the world: fractional, decimal and American. The first two are commonly seen in India, however American odds are only really used in the United States. Understanding fractional and decimal odds is exceptionally simple but getting to grips with American odds is a bit more complicated.
Fractional odds
These are expressed as a fraction, such as 2/1. The lower the fraction, the lower the odds are. To work out how much you should win, divide the first number in the fraction by the second. Then multiply the result by the stake, which reveals your profit. To see the overall total you’ll receive back, simply add the stake to the profit.
Decimal odds
These are the easiest odds around and are expressed as a decimal, such as 3.00. To see how much you should win, just multiply your bet by the decimal number. That’s it - it really is that easy. This is why so many people prefer using decimal odds when deciding which one of the various sports betting international odds systems to use.
American odds
American odds are expressed as positive or negative numbers, such as +200 or -200. A positive number shows how much will be won for every 100 rupees staked, while a negative number shows how much you need to bet in order to win 100 rupees. Positive odds denote the underdog, while negative odds show the favourite.
How to Make a Sports Bet
- Log into your sports betting account
- If you haven’t already, deposit some money
- Find the bet you’re looking for and select it
- Choose how much money to wager
- Confirm the bet
- Now simply wait and see if the bet is a good one!
Choosing a Sport
Gamblers in India are lucky, as they can bet on pretty much every conceivable sport. So, whether you want to bet on the next IPL match, or have a wager on who will win the Super Bowl, you’ll find exactly what you’re looking for. There are, of course, some sports that are more popular with Indian gamblers in 2023 though, and you can see details of them in the handy list below…
Cricket
Cricket is, without a doubt, the most popular sport to bet on in India. Markets are offered for every cricket event, from the IPL through to Test matches. Every sports betting site in India has loads of cricket betting options.
Football
Football is also very popular in India, as it is in the rest of the world. The most popular competitions for gamblers are all foreign, and they include the Premier League, the Champions League and the World Cup.
Horse racing
Horse races take place pretty much every day, both in India and in racing hot-spots throughout the world. Not all sports betting sites offer horse racing markets, however our recommended ones usually do.
Basketball
When it comes to basketball betting, one league eclipses every other competition in the world: the NBA. Basketball betting is fast and exciting, which is why it’s so popular with punters.
Field hockey
Field hockey is a massively popular sport with Indians, and every international match featuring the national team invites lots of betting action, including live betting.
Ice hockey
Ice hockey isn’t really played in India, but it’s often bet on. Most choose to bet on the NHL, however some sports betting sites also offer markets for other ice hockey competitions throughout the world.
Kabaddi
Betting on kabaddi only increases the excitement of this sport even more. Whether you want to place a simple singles bet or an adventurous accumulator, you’ll find what you’re looking for when betting on kabaddi.
Tennis
Indians love betting on the Grand Slams, as well as on the other larger tournaments on the schedule. Tennis betting is exciting and matches are ever-changing - making them perfect for in-play betting.
eSports
eSports are now massively popular, with loads of Indians betting on CS:GO, League of Legends, Dota 2 and more. This means that the best Indian sports betting sites have to offer eSports betting to customers.
Sports Betting Tips & Strategies
Sports betting can lead to some big pay-outs, and some of the best gamblers can win huge sums of money from just one bet. If you want to gamble successfully though, there are a few sport betting tips to follow, which are outlined below…
Go mobile
The best gamblers never miss a chance to place a bet, so you have to gamble using a mobile. Some sites offer great sports betting apps, while others can be accessed using a mobile browser.
Know your sport
This is perhaps the most important tip, as the best gamblers are the ones who know a sport expertly. So, if you’re going to bet on cricket, for example, immerse yourself in the sport!
Compare odds
Never accept the first set of odds you see. Instead, head to a few different websites and compare the odds offered. This will ensure you always get the very best price - and therefore the best possible prizes.
Bet live
Live betting allows the best gamblers to use their knowledge and intuition, simply by analyzing the way a game is panning out. Live betting can also be one of the most entertaining forms of betting too!
Bankroll management
Bankroll management means never risking your entire bankroll on one bet. In fact, we’d never risk more than 5% of our bankroll on a bet we make. This means you’ll always have money left over.