India’s Gaming Ban Boosts Offshore Betting

Betting is a fully legal and regulated industry in many countries, including the UK, parts of Europe, and the United States, where structured frameworks license operators, safeguard consumers, and generate significant tax revenues.
  
Globally, the betting and online gambling market is projected to grow rapidly, driven by mobile penetration, digital platforms, crypto payments, and AI-based gaming. 
 
Analysts estimate it could surpass $150–200 billion annually within this decade, making it one of the fastest-growing digital entertainment sectors.
 
In India, however, the recent ban on real-money gaming has created unintended consequences. 
 
Domestic startups and fantasy sports platforms were forced to shut money-based play, collapsing a $3.8 billion industry and costing nearly $2 billion in tax revenues. 

At the same time, offshore betting platforms like Parimatch, 1XBet, and RajaBets quickly stepped in, luring users with bonuses up to 700 percent and free spins.
 
The Parliamentary Standing Committee on Home Affairs, in its 254th report on cybercrime, has urged tighter checks on foreign advertisers through digital verification, live video ID, and zero-trust frameworks.
 
Officials defend the ban as a public health measure to combat addiction and debt. 
 
Yet critics warn it risks fuelling financial outflows and cybercrime unless matched with stronger enforcement and balanced regulation.