Fear that India’s online gambling ban will drive players to illegal sites

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Industry professionals in India have cautioned that the country’s recent online gambling ban will cause an influx of players to turn to illegal sites.

The ban has impacted India’s regulated market, which was predicted to hit US$9 billion in value by 2029. It has also affected sporting teams, with gambling operators rescinding their sponsorships.

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The law, passed last month, targets fantasy sports and online card games, which are extremely popular in India. Offenders now face up to five years in prison.

Officials argued the platforms caused addiction, financial ruin, and even suicides, while also being linked to fraud and money laundering.

Despite the crackdown, many gamblers have been reported as saying that they will continue to play through unregulated offshore websites, using VPNs and proxy payment methods.

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Meanwhile, the ban has already disrupted the sports industry. Dream11, India’s largest fantasy sports platform with 260 million users, has ended its US$43 million sponsorship deal with the Board of Control for Cricket in India, pulling its logo from national team jerseys.

Experts warn the Indian Premier League will also feel the impact.

Fantasy sports companies, which had previously been among the tournament’s biggest advertisers, are expected to slash spending, and some analysts predict this could lower future media rights revenues for the Board of Control for Cricket in India.

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