The Indian Premier League (IPL) is one of the most popular franchise T20 cricket leagues in the world. With high profile players, close matches, and plenty of excitement, the IPL has also become a hotbed for cricket betting. While betting on cricket is illegal in India, many people still place wagers on IPL matches through offshore online betting website cricket. In this article, we’ll take a close look at online cricket betting in the IPL – how it works, the legality, the risks, and some tips for responsible betting on cricket matches.
How Online IPL Betting Works?
Online cricket betting allows you to place wagers on the outcome of IPL matches from the comfort of your home. To get started, you need to create an account with an online betting site that offers IPL betting. Most sites accept a range of payment options like credit cards, e-wallets, and bank transfers to fund your account.
Once your account is set up and funded, you can choose the IPL match you want to bet on. Most sites will offer a wide variety of bet types including:
- Match Winner – Betting on which team will win the match.
- Top Batsman/Bowler – Betting on the player who will score the most runs or take the most wickets.
- Man of the Match – Betting on the player who will be awarded Man of the Match
- Total Runs Scored – Betting Over/Under on the total number of runs to be scored.
- Batsman Runs – Betting on how many runs an individual batsman will score.
The odds on each bet will be provided by the bookmaker. As the match unfolds, the odds will change to reflect the situation of the game in real-time. This allows for live or in-play betting while you watch the match. You can place bets during time-outs, change of innings, or even ball-by-ball as the action happens. Online cricket betting brings incredible convenience and excitement for IPL fans looking to engage with matches.
Is it Legal to Bet on the IPL Online?
While betting on the IPL online through offshore sites is widespread, it does exist in a legal grey area. Under India’s Public Gambling Act 1867, running or being found in a public gambling house is illegal. However, the Act does not penalize individuals who place bets online. Each state also has their own gambling laws. While almost all states have bans on physical gambling houses, online betting is neither explicitly legal nor illegal in most states.
The only states that have explicitly codified bans on online gambling are Sikkim and Telangana. Enforcement against offshore betting sites remains limited as they operate outside Indian jurisdiction. But legal experts advise exercising caution given the regulatory uncertainty. Responsible betting in moderation is recommended given the legal ambiguity.
Risks Associated with Online IPL Betting
While online cricket betting is readily accessible, convenient, and exciting, there are some very real risks involved that must be considered:
- Addiction – Compulsive betting is a serious problem and the adrenaline rush and easy access of online betting exacerbates it. Betting should be treated as entertainment with money you can afford to lose.
- Fraud – Many unlicensed offshore sites are fraudulent and fail to pay out winnings. It’s vital to only use reputed sites that are legally certified in their own jurisdictions.
- Financial ruin – Problem gamblers often end up betting more than they can afford to lose chasing losses. This can lead to debt, bankruptcy, and financial devastation.
- Corruption – Spot-fixing and match-fixing scandals in tournaments like the IPL mean games are not always clean. Your betting could end up financing corruption in the sport.
- Legal issues – While prosecutions are rare, gambling winnings are considered unaccounted money. Large winnings could attract scrutiny from tax authorities.
Responsible Betting Tips
Here are some tips to bet responsibly and avoid the pitfalls of compulsive online cricket betting:
- Set a budget – Determine how much you can afford to lose per month, and stick to your limit. Never chase losses.
- Use licensed sites – Only bet on legal, regulated sites and verify licensing info before signing up and depositing funds.
- Research before betting – Don’t just bet blindly. Analyze team news, player form, head-to-head stats, and pitch conditions to make informed wagers.
- Maintain records – Keep detailed records of your account details, bets placed, wins and losses. This helps in identifying problems and patterns.
- Take breaks – Don’t bet every day. Have some days off from betting each week to prevent addictive behaviour.
- Don’t borrow to bet – Never use loaned funds or gamble when in financial difficulty. This is a surefire way to intensify problems.
- Don’t drink and bet – Alcohol impairs judgement and should be avoided when betting. It’s too easy to overspend when drinking.
- Seek help – If betting is negatively impacting your life, don’t hesitate to seek counselling and support services.
With smart practices, you can enjoy online cricket betting as a hobby rather than having it spiral out of control. Always gamble responsibly within your means and avoid chasing losses. If you suspect you may have a gambling problem, seek help immediately before it’s too late.
Top Online Cricket Betting Sites
With so many online bookmakers out there, it can be difficult to know which ones are the most reliable for IPL betting. Based on reputation, betting options, odds and safety, here are five of the best online betting sites for cricket IPL:
Betway – Licensed in Malta and operational in India since 2013. Great IPL odds and live streaming available.
10Cric – Popular India facing site with competitive odds, multiple payment options and IPL promotions.
Parimatch – Licensed company with 18+ years in the industry. Excellent cricket betting options.
Bet365 – Renowned UK bookie that offers in-play betting and live streaming for IPL matches.
Dafabet – Over two decades of experience in Asian markets. Focuses on cricket betting for the Indian market.
Skybetting – This site offers best betting experience to Indian audience in cricket.
Conclusion
The IPL has made cricket betting incredibly popular in India. While still operating in a legal grey area, offshore online bookmakers give fans an easy way to add excitement to matches by wagering from home. With smart practices like setting a budget and using regulated sites, online cricket betting can be an enjoyable hobby. But it’s critical to bet safely within your means and avoid addiction. With billions riding on each match, the IPL and online cricket betting are intrinsically linked. And this looks unlikely to change anytime soon.
