【willbetle bandit】India’s Betting Apps: Easy Money or Ruined Lives?

It’s no secret that betting apps and fantasy games have gained popularity in recent years. This trend is also seen in India, raising concerns about addiction and financial exploitation. But can the country address these issues?

Addictions Are Increasingly Common

One person impacted by the popularity of betting is 24-year-old Pradeep Kumar, a postgraduate from Kanpur, Pradeep Kumar, who has been troubled by gambling addiction for two years. Due to his condition, he has resorted to taking loans from various sources to satisfy his gambling urges.

His mother, Ranjani, has recently shared what it was like for him:

“On one occasion, he lost over 125,000 Indian rupees (around €1,350) in a cricketing app that nearly destroyed him. We take him for counseling, but he keeps falling back into his addictive behavior. These apps promise easy money.”

The concerning aspect is that Kumar is not alone, as gambling-related issues have become increasingly common in the country. Other individuals, particularly young people, have lost substantial amounts of money due to gambling, which has adversely impacted their families.

This has also been true for the southern state of Telangana, where gaming apps have gained popularity. Last year, a family in Nizamabad took their lives because they were unable to repay a loan of 3 million rupees (€32,400), which their son lost on online gambling.

The Industry Grows Larger

Currently, data indicates that over 140 million locals participate regularly engage in online gambling activities. These numbers rise to over 370 million when major sporting events, like the Indian Premier League cricket, are underway.

In addition to sports betting apps, fantasy contests have also experienced a surge in popularity. For example, fantasy platforms such as MPL, Dream11, and My11Circle enable users to create virtual teams of real athletes and win points based on their real-life performance.

According to a 2023 report from Think Change Forum, fantasy offerings boast over 180 million users across more than 300 sites in the country. Cricket accounts for approximately 85% of the revenue, with football trailing at over 6%.

Think Change Forum also reported that the growth of digital infrastructure and increased smartphone availability have contributed to the expanding market. Another factor is that celebrities and influencers frequently promote betting apps.

Achal Bhagat, a psychiatrist from New Delhi, has also shared his expertise on the subject of increasingly popular mobile wagering. He said the following:

“Apps such as these can take over one's identity as one may be preoccupied with betting all the time. It will affect one's financial situation and impact relationships, too. If someone is using betting apps repetitively and this pervades their day-to-day functioning, it is time to seek help.”

The Science Behind the Issue

Anjali Nagpal, a neuropsychiatrist who has researched gambling-related issues, has also weighed in on the topic. She believes gambling disorders are becoming an epidemic in India. She is worried that this is normalised, as in her words:

“When favourite celebrities openly promote them across social media, youngsters start to feel less like [it's] a risky activity and more like a trendy thing to do. It creates a false sense of security, and on seeing their heroes endorsing it, their thought is: ‘How bad can it be?'”

The expert explained that the cycle typically begins after a bettor scores multiple wins, triggering a dopamine rush and providing a sense of accomplishment. However, she remarked that when chasing more wins, players get pulled in, and the promise of another dopamine rush keeps them hooked on the game, thus initiating an endless cycle.

She added that:

“The consequences include heavy financial losses, debt, family pressure, and constant disappointment, which take a severe toll on mental health. It should be dealt with strictly and promptly with stronger laws.”

Can India Protect the Consumers?

India’s government has already increased its efforts to address offshore betting apps. Since IPL is now underway, the Directorate General of GST Intelligence has upped its monitoring activities of illegal iGaming sites offering sports betting.

DGGI is also targeting companies involved in money laundering, operating without a permit, or potentially susceptible to security risks. Currently, around 700 offshore entities are under scrutiny from the department.

However, managing numerous operators is not an easy task, said a senior official from DGGI. Here’s the full quote:

“Many illegal betting apps are hosted on servers outside India, often in jurisdictions like Curacao, Malta, or Cyprus, where gambling is legal or loosely regulated. The sheer number of illegal apps is overwhelming.”

Estimations from Think Change Forum suggest that offshore betting operators receive around $100 billion annually from Indian bettors. There are also cases of operators pretending to be fantasy brands to bypass regulations.

Fantasy offerings are currently labelled as games of skill since they require specific knowledge to build a fantasy team. In contrast, traditional betting is seen as a game of chance. This is why many operators present themselves as fantasy brands, thereby sidestepping the stricter regulations imposed on traditional platforms.

Calling for Stronger Regulation

Rushindra Sinha, co-founder of Global Esports, is pushing for stricter rules regarding online betting. He also highlighted the differences between eSports and traditional betting, stating:

“Esports and real money gaming often get lumped together, but they are worlds apart. Esports is about skill, strategy, and competition — where players put in hours of practice, and the outcome depends entirely on their performance. At its core, it is about entertainment, community, and mastery.”

Sinha also voiced concerns over how some gambling operators promote their products using the popularity of video games. He added that “many platforms exploit gaming’s credibility to attract users. Stronger regulations are needed—not to stifle innovation, but to protect consumers.”

Can India Contain the Online Gambling?

As mobile wagering gains popularity, its consequences for consumers are also expected to rise. India faces significant challenges as financial losses, mental health issues, and legal loopholes continue to impact the industry.

The need for stronger enforcement, clearer regulations, and increased awareness on the topic is evident, yet millions continue to engage in such activities in the meantime. It remains unclear how long the county is willing to wait before it escalates into an even larger problem.