Every IPL season, millions of fans across India follow their favourite teams with obsessive passion. And for a significant number of them, that passion extends to placing bets on match outcomes. Offshore apps, local bookies, and WhatsApp groups buzz with activity. But here’s the uncomfortable truth: IPL betting is illegal in India.
The Foundation: Public Gambling Act, 1867
India’s gambling regulation is rooted in the ancient Public Gambling Act of 1867, which was enacted during British rule. This law prohibits gambling in public gaming houses and levies penalties on those who run or participate in them. However, it predates the internet by over a century and was never designed to address online sports betting.
The Game Changer: Online Gaming Act, 2025
That ambiguity has now been resolved. In August 2025, the Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Act (PROGA) was signed into law by President Droupadi Murmu. For the first time, India has a clear nationwide rule: all forms of real-money gaming and betting, including cricket betting and fantasy sports platforms, are banned. Only e-sports competitions and free-to-play games without cash prizes remain legal under this framework.
This law replaced the fragmented state-level regulations that had existed under the old Public Gambling Act and brings all online gaming under central authority.
What About Fantasy Sports Platforms Like Dream11?
For years, platforms like Dream11, My11Circle, and MPL operated in a legal grey area, with courts treating them as ‘games of skill’ rather than gambling. Dream11 alone won seven Supreme Court cases defending this position.
However, following the enactment of PROGA 2025, all real-money fantasy contests have been suspended. These platforms are restructuring around free-to-play formats while constitutional challenges to the new law proceed in courts. As of early 2026, the Supreme Court is reviewing key aspects of the legislation.
The Risks of Betting on Offshore Sites
Many Indians use offshore betting platforms through VPNs. This is not a legal loophole — using a UK or Curacao-licensed betting site while sitting in India is still illegal under Indian law. Banks and UPI providers are now required to flag and block transactions to betting platforms. If caught, individuals can face fines and potential imprisonment under the BNS. Money deposited with offshore sites carries no legal protection whatsoever.
Final Thought
IPL betting may feel harmless and widespread, but the law in India is now unambiguous after PROGA 2025. The risks are real — legal penalties, financial fraud, and no regulatory protection. If you want to engage with IPL, there are legal alternatives: free-to-play prediction games, watching parties, merchandise, and supporting your team the old-fashioned way.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1. Is using a VPN to access foreign betting sites legal in India?
No. Using a VPN to access offshore betting platforms does not make the activity legal. Indian law prohibits participation in real-money sports betting regardless of whether the platform is based domestically or abroad. Enforcement agencies can trace transactions through banking records.
Q2. What is the punishment for IPL betting in India?
Under PROGA 2025 and state gambling laws, penalties for illegal betting can include fines and imprisonment ranging from one to five years depending on the severity and repeat offence status. Promoters and operators of illegal platforms face even stiffer penalties.
Q3. Are fantasy cricket apps like Dream11 legal now?
Following the Online Gaming Act, 2025, all real-money fantasy contests have been suspended pending constitutional challenges. These platforms now operate only in free-to-play mode. The legal status is being reviewed by courts in 2026, and the situation may evolve.
Q4. Are there any legal forms of gambling allowed in India?
Yes, limited forms are permitted. Horse racing betting is legal nationwide. Casinos operate legally in Goa, Sikkim, and Daman. State-run lotteries are permitted in states that have enacted enabling legislation. These are the only forms of gambling explicitly regulated and permitted under Indian law.
