When it comes to esports betting in India, what are your options? In this article, we are going to take a look at what we believe are a couple of the best betting sites in India for esports that you can join today. In addition, we will take a look at the current health of the esports betting industry in the country. How do players in India tend to enjoy esports betting nowadays, what are the different bets you can place, and on which popular esports titles are you likely to find markets to bet in India.
With a huge potential market of customers, India is viewed by many experts in the industry as one of the most lucrative markets for esports and esports betting that has, as yet, remained relatively untapped, and there have been clear moves by several companies to expand their presence across the country in recent times.
It is an exciting time to be into esports betting in India, with some great options available to you right now to sign up and start to enjoy betting on one of the fastest-growing industries across the world today.
Overview of esports betting in India
It’s no secret that esports has grown exponentially in popularity worldwide and India is no exception. The intriguing recipe of a youthful population, easy access to the internet and keen interest in the gaming industry has not only elevated the growth of esports but has also set the stage for the rise of esports betting in India.
With a huge potential market of customers, India is viewed by many experts in the industry as one of the most lucrative markets for esports and esports betting that has, as yet remained relatively untapped, and there have been clear moves by several companies to expand their presence across the country in recent times.
So, if you’re someone who wants to know everything about the esports betting scene in India, we’ve got you covered with a detailed overview.
What is esports betting?
In layman’s terms, esports betting refers to wagering on professional video gaming tournaments. Some of the most popular esports titles are League of Legends, Dota 2, CS2, VALORANT and PUBG Mobile.
Like most forms of betting, Indian bettors predominantly use their phones to access their preferred betting platforms which makes app-based services highly popular. However, esports betting in India is still emerging but it’s inarguably growing at a very fast rate.
You’ll be surprised to learn that esports betting market in India is projected to reach approximately $90.8 million by the end of 2024 which indicates the significant interest of the younger population in this industry.
The best part is the rise of digital platforms has made it easier for India consumers to participate in esports betting from home rather than relying on traditional methods. It’s also been reported that the Indian Esports betting market is expected to show an annual growth rate (CAGR 2024-2029) of 5.97% which would result in a projected market volume of US$121.4m by 2029.
Growth of Esports Betting in India
Many of you might be wondering what the secret recipe behind the growth of Esports Betting in India is. Let’s give you a quick overview:
- Easy access to the internet: India has one of the best internet connectivities due to last-mile coverage and cheaper options, specifically after the entry of Reliance Jio into the telecommunications market in 2016. Jio offered free voice calls and extremely low data prices which forced other telecom operators to lower their rates to remain competitive. This eventually led to siognifciant growth of Esports Betting in India.
- Youth: India is home to one of the youngest populations globally. Many young Indians with a keen interest in gaming which makes esports and its associated activities naturally appealing.
- Rise of Esports Tournaments: Events such as BGMI tournaments and Valorant Championships attract huge audiences in India which eventually encourage viewers to place bets on various esports betting websites.
- Indian-Friendly Betting Platforms: Finally, many platforms now cater specifically to Indian players by offering betting options in Indian Rupees and providing localized customer support.
How to bet on esports in India
Thankfully, getting started with esports betting is straightforward. Here’s an overview of the steps
- Choose a Platform: Select one of the best betting sites for India based on various factors.
- Sign Up: Create an account by providing your details.
- Deposit Funds: Use payment methods like UPI or net banking to fund your account. Opt for online betting sites in Indian Rupees to avoid conversion fees.
- Place Your Bet: Analyze team performance and odds before placing your wager. Beginners can start with small amounts and increase their stakes as they gain confidence.
- Withdraw Winnings: Once you win, withdraw your earnings using the platform’s withdrawal options.
The payment methods available when you sign up at the best betting sites in India are dependent on the provider that you sign up with. However, among the most common options you are likely to find available to you are the following:
- Google Pay
- Skrill
- Neteller
- UPI
- Paytm
- Bank transfers
- Credit/Debit Cards
- NetBanking
- PhonePe
Legal online betting sites operating in India
The types of esports betting sites in India that are available tend to be split into one of two categories. Some sites are only available in India and have been developed in the country. Other bookies originated abroad but now offer some of the best esports betting sites in India too.
A good example of the latter is the popular site Betway. The company started as an online sports betting site, but as esports betting grew in popularity, Betway Esports embraced this new market more than most and the company not only offers an excellent range of esports bets across a selection of esports titles but is also heavily involved in sponsorship of teams and tournaments in the industry too.
Similarly, bet365 esports is another online betting service that has expanded into the esports vertical. After initially only offering a relatively small selection of bets, the company has vastly expanded its service for esports fans so that it is now comparable with any of the best betting sites in India for esports, or indeed in any other country around the world.
Other great options to consider are LeoVegas, GG.bet and NEO.Bet India.
Best Esports Betting Websites in India
Bet365
Bet365 is a globally recognised brand with extensive betting options. It’s a part of the famous and popular Bet365 suite of sites that includes sports betting, poker, casino, bingo, fantasy sports and much more. The site earned its reputation for its sports betting, casino and poker services but it also has an extensive esports betting section which makes it one of the best esports betting websites in India
GG.Bet
GGBet stands out as a premier online betting platform in India as it has consistently ranked among the best betting apps in the country. It has also been recognized for its excellence as they have earned the prestigious EGR Esports Operator Award and has partnered with top Counter-Strike teams like Team Vitality and Navi. Similar to many other platforms, their betting interface is user-friendly which is definitely a huge advantage for those new to the betting.
Sportsbet.io
When it comes to the best betting apps in India, Sportsbet.io inarguably secures one of the top positions. It’s a well known betting platform that specializes in cryptocurrency transactions and caters to users globally including in India.
When it comes to its key features, you won’t have a hard time navigating the website as Sportsbet.io is pretty optimized for all the platforms. As a result, expect no lags and a user-friendly site that easily welcomes even beginner punters.
NEO.Bet
NEO.Bet is legal in India and is one of the most well-renowned names available on the market, particularly for esports betting. NEO.Bet sits in the category of sites that are hosted offshore but offer legally compliant betting services in India. As mentioned earlier, NEO.Bet is backed by both a direct German license and approval from the Malta Gaming Authority through its parent company – the services it offers in India tick multiple boxes for safety and legality.
What can you find on NEO.Bet India?
Like all world-class sportsbooks, NEO.Bet brings a broad range of traditional sports betting as well as esports betting in India. While they do not have a mobile app option for the Indian market yet, their website offers more than 1,000 games to bet on across multiple sports.
NEO.Bet also offers betting on CS:GO in India, alongside esports like League of Legends, R6 Siege, and Dota 2. There is no casino lobby on NEO.Bet in India at the moment.
Why should you use NEO.Bet?
Make sure you check out our full NEO.Bet review for a comprehensive list of features. In the meantime, here’s a quick note on everything we like about the platform:
- NEO.Bet’s interface has improved gradually over time, and there isn’t much to complain about as far as the look, and general aesthetics are concerned, which is a big tick in our book – your sportsbook is only as good as its ease of use.
- One of the concerns for bettors in India might be the ease with which they can make betting transactions. Bettors have nothing to worry about here either, with the two most popular payment methods – UPI and Netbanking – accepted, alongside other options such as credit cards.
- It has two significant welcome bonus options – a 200% NEO.Bet welcome bonus of up to Rs. 4,000 or a 100% bonus of up to Rs. 8,000. There’s also the VIP program and occasional bonus chips when betting on odds over 1.15
- Live betting is one of the essentials for any good sportsbook and NEO.Bet India has those markets for all the major sports like cricket, football, basketball, table tennis, volleyball, and rugby.
- There’s a good focus on both customer support and responsible gambling programs – they’re well-highlighted across the site and available all the time, and this is a big green flag.
Can you use Indian rupees to bet on NEO.Bet India?
Yes, you can. As mentioned earlier, NEO.Bet offers both UPI and Netbanking options to Indians, which are both built on the Indian banking system.
Which esports can you bet on in India?
So if you sign up with one of the legal online betting sites in India, which are the esports that you are most likely to be able to bet on?
Well, the most popular esports around the world today are all available, including League of Legends, Counter-Strike: Global Offensive (CS:GO), Dota 2, Overwatch 2, and StarCraft 2.
You will also likely be able to find betting on a wide range of other esports, which could include Call of Duty, Fortnite, FIFA, NBA2K, Rainbow Six Siege, and many more.
Types of bets on the best betting sites in India
Now that we know the answer to whether online betting sites are legal in India, we can also look at the different types of esports bets you can make on your choice of esports betting app.
Some of the most commonly available bets include match result bets, which is simply a bet on which individual, pairing, or team will be victorious in the chosen esports match. This is a great bet for esports betting novices, to begin with, as it usually has just two (or possibly three) options available, win for one player, win for the other, or, sometimes, a draw.
Another popular form of bet is an accumulator bet, which is also called a parlay bet in some parts of the world. This is a bet where you put together several different selections on your bet slip, and all those selections must win. However, if they do, then the amount of money you could win is usually considerably higher than making a single bet.
For many of the more popular esports, such as League of Legends, Dota 2, or CS:GO, you can often find many more markets available. Betting on individual maps or rounds, for example, and even being able to bet on what will happen during the match itself.
For example, many of the best CS2 gambling sites will offer bets such as betting on which team will win each map, and there may be handicap betting available on these matches too, as well as being able to bet on the correct map score and the number of kills the teams will score on a single map.
The great news for Indian esports betting fans is that as the market matures, an increasing number of diverse and exciting betting markets for established esports, as well as brand new esports games with their own new markets, are being made available all the time.
Tips for esports betting in India
As is the case with any form of betting, esports betting is not a sure thing in terms of success. There are no formulas you can use or little tricks or cheats that will allow you to back-winning bets all the time. There are only two things that can influence your success when wagering at the best esports betting site. Good judgment on your behalf and a healthy slice of good fortune!
While you can’t do anything about how lady luck will shine on you, you can put in the effort to ensure that you research your esports bets as thoroughly as you can. The more you know about a bet and the players or teams involved in that bet, the more chances you have of making the right call on which selection to back. The good news is that with so many great options for esports betting in India, you can always find something enjoyable to bet on with the top betting apps.
Conclusion
Not only should you now have a clear idea of how to bet on esports in India, but you also know which are the best esports betting sites in India too. In addition, you should have a good idea of the popular types of esports games you can bet on, as well as some of the popular betting markets available on these games.
With Esports gaining a firm foothold in India, particularly in the mobile gaming industry, whether you want to find out the latest Dota 2 odds, or you fancy a wager on League of Legends tournaments, you will find all you need to know at esportsbets.com.
