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Online Betting Sites in India |
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 The Legal Position
Bookmaking activities within India are undoubtedly illegal, but wagering at an online betting site is something of a grey area in Indian law. In 2011, the federal government passed a law intended to make gambling via the Internet illegal. However, the manner in which the government worded this law placed the onus on Internet Service Providers to restrict access to online betting sites. Hence, from a practical perspective, India does not have a specific law preventing any individual from betting with an online layer based outside the country.
Online Betting Sites for Indian Gamblers
As of August 2012, there are no Indian-based online betting sites, with the possible exception of "Playwin," which runs the state-regulated national lottery. However, the good news for those wishing to bet online in India is that the vast majority of the leading, reputable online layers welcome customers with Indian addresses. These include the likes of bet365, BetFred, Bogdog, CANBet, CentreBet, Paddy Power, Stan James, Ladbrokes and William Hill, amongst many others. The only notable exceptions amongst the leading online bookmaking firms are SkyBet and SportingBet, who will not accept customers from India. Otherwise, these well-known, reliable, heavily-regulated firms provide a huge range of betting / gaming options to Indian punters. Horse racing aficionados can enjoy worldwide racing events 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Those who like to bet on sport are spoilt for choice with coverage of a vast number of sports and markets, including American football, baseball, basketball, boxing, cricket, golf, snooker, soccer and tennis, along with many more. In addition, most of the above-mentioned sites have associated poker rooms and casinos. The former offer "ring" games and tournaments in most of the more popular variations of the game of poker, whilst the latter have various types of traditional casino games, including roulette, blackjack and online slots. Furthermore, several of these online betting sites provide a range of bingo-type games, while some present the chance of winning a fortune by playing various, worldwide lottery games.
Deposits and Withdrawals
The online betting sites of bet365 and CANBet are especially popular with Indian punters, since they allow deposits and withdrawals in Rupees, thus negating any potential charges for currency conversions and providing greater convenience for Indian players wishing to deposit / withdraw via a debit or credit card. While plenty of other sites welcome Indian customers, they do not accept direct deposits in Rupees. Perhaps the best way for Indian punters to deposit and withdraw to / from such online betting sites is to open an e-wallet account with Neteller or Moneybookers. Both are highly reputable organisations, each backed up by superb customer care service. Funding such e-wallet accounts in Rupees via debit / credit card is straightforward, speedy and safe, as is transferring monies to the online betting account. Withdrawals are equally easy, by simply using the same process in reverse.
Indian punters with an interest in UK horse racing seem sure to enjoy FreeRacingTips, which may be obtained entirely free of charge, simply by entering your name and e-mail address. Punters opening an online betting account via the advertisements on the site also get free access to the "premium" tips for which a charge would otherwise be incurred. |
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