Bet365 India Review: Are Indian Accounts Restricted?
Yes, Indian accounts are restricted on Bet365.
In August 2023, Bet365 stopped accepting Indian players for betting and casino games.
This means you cannot create a new account on their site. Here’s what you see when you select your country as India.
If you already have an account, you will be able to access your account and browse the site as usual.
However, if you look to go to the deposit page to make a deposit, you’ll notice that the page is restricted.
We even tried placing a bet to see what would happen, but the authenticator app that scans the QR code to confirm the bet was unresponsive.
In the meantime, the question remains: What about active bets and withdrawal balances?
Bet365 Active Bet and Balance Settlement
Per the Bet365 support, the remaining bets on user accounts have been voided or cashed out (wherever cash out was bigger than the stake) and returned to the account.
And you can withdraw this balance until 4 September 2023 using the withdrawal options available on the site after you verify your account.
And in case you do not fully trust what the virtual assistant has to say, we further confirmed this on the live chat.
While Bet365 remains restricted, there are equally trusted and reliable sportsbooks that are great alternatives to them.
You can still enjoy live betting and casino games, even bigger bonuses, make payments through UPI, and even play or bet on your mobile (something Bet365 did not have for Indian users).
Here’s where.
Tried and Tested Bet365 Alternatives
Odds Comparison
When writing the review, India was due to play West Indies in the first test match, so we compared the odds to help you better understand why 22Bet stands out or not.
| Bet365 | 22Bet | |
|---|---|---|
| West Indies | 8.50 | 8.90 |
| Draw | 5.00 | 5.00 |
| India | 1.36 | 1.35 |
As you can see, all sportsbooks believe a West Indies win is unlikely, with 22Bet offering the best odds at 8.90, followed closely by Bet365 at 8.50.
If you want to bet on India, Bet365 offers slightly better odds of 1.36 than 22Bet’s odds of 1.35.
As for a draw, Bet365 and 22Bet have similar odds at 5.00.
22Bet clearly offers better odds or odds at par with other popular Indian sportsbooks.
Not to forget, they have the most payment modes available and have partnered with the likes of Brendon Mccullum and Emmanuel Adebayor.
And if that wasn’t enough, check out our detailed 22Bet review, where we talk about its bonuses, customer support, and other features that help it stand out from the rest.
Possible Reasons for the Restrictions
Amendments to the Laws
The section is our interpretation of the laws. It is not legal advice; we do not owe any duty of care to readers. All readers should seek legal counsel to make legal or business decisions or for guidance.
As covered in our ‘Is Bet 365 Legal in India‘ page, Bet365 has operated in a legal grey area. However, India has taken some steps towards regulation in 2023.
This includes the new amendments to the Information and Technology Act 2000, which state that online games and platforms need approval from Self-Regulatory Bodies (SRBs).
But getting approval wasn’t going to be easy for Bet365. That’s because the amendments also restrict approvals to games and platforms offering wagering on outcomes.
Furthermore, Telangana, Tamil Nadu, and Andhra Pradesh made online betting gambling a punishable offense.
Now, we do believe that while this may have had some impact on their decision, it would only be a minor reason.
That is because the SRBs are still months from formation (so the legal grey area remains), while the state bans have been in place since almost 2022.
Furthermore, the amendments were made in April 2023, and Bet365 continued to accept Indian players till August.
What we believe may have caused the hammer blow are the events of July 2023
New Tax Rules
In July 2023, the Indian government changed taxation laws for the online gaming industry.
Online sportsbooks, casinos, and horse racing clubs would now be charged a 28% tax on the full value of deposits made by players.
It is considered by experts to be one of the most significant blows to the online gaming industry.
They also believe it will hamper the growth of the billion-dollar industry (impacting legit startups the most).
Do note that it isn’t a rule yet, with the government planning to implement this from 1 October 2023.
While other sportsbooks wait to see how the rules and laws evolve and impact their growth, there’s a chance Bet365 has decided to take measures right away.
So yes, Bet365 is restricted. However, there were plenty of positive features on Bet365 that made betting easy and reliable.
If you would like to know what these were, read the detailed Bet365 review below and use them as a pointer when you are researching sportsbooks and casinos.
Keep in mind that Bet365 remains one of the most trusted sportsbooks around the world.
Furthermore, the restriction on Indian accounts could be temporary as the laws around online betting and gambling continue to evolve.
Bet365 Overview
Do note that the below info is the old review done when Bet365 accepted Indian players. Currently, there’s a restriction on new and existing accounts.
Strong Global Reputation
50+ Sports
Strong License and Partnerships
HD Live Streaming
Auto Cashout
Live Casino Section
UPI and E-Wallets Available
Excellent Customer Support
Limited Number of Casino Games
No App
Is Bet365 Safe?
Malta License
Global Reputation and partnerships
Yes, Bet365 is one of the safest sportsbooks around the world. Here’s why we believe that.
Firstly, Bet365 has a Malta Gaming License. This is a more authoritative license when compared to the Curacao license, as they have stricter checks, Anti-Money Laundering rules, and user-protection policies.
Furthermore, Bet365 is also licensed in European countries like the UK, Austria, Germany, Spain, Ireland, Serbia, Czech Republic, Greece, Bulgaria, Norway, etc.
They are also members of the eCommerce and Online Gaming Regulation and Assurance (eCOGRA). This is an independent authority that helps Bet365 customers resolve disputes when they aren’t happy with the resolution provided by Bet365.
Not adhering to the verdict of eCOGRA or policies set by the Malta Gaming License or UK Gambling Commission means Bet365 can lose its licenses across Europe.
Bet365 also uses SSL technology to keep the players’ data and transactions safe so you can deposit and withdraw worry-free.
To top it all, they have sponsorships with sports teams and leagues like the UFC and operators like William Hill, Flutter Entertainment, Stars Group, and GVC Holdings.
Moreover, it has sponsored the BOXXER program, has a deal with Pragmatic Play game provider, and even got its name on the stadium that hosts the English squad Stoke City — the Bet365 Stadium.
If this didn’t convince you, the brand also got numerous awards:
- The Operator of the Year in 2010 (At the eGaming Review Operator Awards 2010, organized by eGaming Review magazine)
- Number One Internet Gaming Company in 2010, 2011, and 2012 (Ranked by the eGaming Review magazine)
- Digital Operator Award in 2018 (at the Global Gaming Awards in Las Vegas)
- Online Sports Betting Operator in 2021 (at the Global Gaming Awards in London)
- Sportsbook of the Year, Best Affiliate Programme, and Best Mobile Operator App of 2021 (at the 2021 SBC Awards)
We believe that all this speaks volumes about the safety of Bet365.
Well, now that you know how safe Bet365 is, let’s get down to the fun part: the welcome bonuses.
Payment Methods
UPI and E-Wallets Available
No Withdrawal Fees
Few Withdrawal Methods
Bet365 offers around 4-5 trustworthy payment options for deposits.
You can use e-wallets like Neteller, AstroPay, or Skrill. Then there’s also UPI, which is one of the most-used payment modes in India, so making deposits should be hassle-free.
As for withdrawals, Bet365 has two main withdrawal options, i.e., Neteller and Skrill.
While they also list bank transfers and cards as payment modes, we wouldn’t recommend you use them, as some banks in India do not allow payments to and fro gaming platforms.
Furthermore, Bet365 lists PhonePe as a deposit mode, but it wasn’t available when writing this review.
We checked in with customer care, who confirmed they can no longer accept PhonePe.
This brings us to the next part of the review: their customer support.
Customer Support
Live Chat and Email
Quick Response Time
Can Improve Knowledge About Indian Market
Add Support in Hindi
Bet365 offers players support through email and live chat. To access chat support, you can scroll down to the site’s footer and click on ‘Contact Us.’
On the ‘Contact Us’ page, you’ll find the option ‘Open Chat’. Click on this, and a chat window will open up.
The virtual support assistant initially greets you and tells you to ask a question or select a relevant topic. The virtual assistant is pretty good and gives you most of the basic details about deposits, withdrawals, etc.
And if you want to connect to an agent, you’ll need to write twice ‘talk to an agent’ for it to connect you to one (see image below for example).
Coming to the agents, we tested out the chat support on multiple occasions, and the response time was excellent.
We asked if PhonePe and card payments would be available anytime soon, and after taking a few moments to verify the details, the support agent told us that they could not accept these modes anymore.
Connecting to the agent on all occasions took no longer than 1-2 minutes. This is a substantial improvement on their part, as interaction with them a few months back wasn’t so pleasant due to longer wait times.
The only small thing we’d like them to improve is to get more knowledge about the Indian market, as it took some agents time to figure out why we couldn’t use the Bet365 app in India.
While not a dealbreaker, improvement will help strengthen their customer base in India. They can also add Hindi support for the same.
Now that you know all about the licenses, safety, customer care, payment modes, etc., here’s how you can register, verify, deposit, and withdraw via Bet365.
Bet365 Sportsbook Review
Over 50 Sports
Live Streaming
Auto Cashout
Bet365’s sportsbook is by far the brand’s most popular feature. The site is user-friendly, and the simple outline makes it easy to navigate.
After landing on the homepage, you can switch between sports, live betting, live casino, or promotions in the top bar. You can also see all the sports listed in the left sidebar.
The center of the screen is reserved for live in-play, where you can see all the current matches.
What we loved most about Bet365’s sportsbook is that it offers an incredible number of sports and betting markets. You can bet on cricket, IPL, horse betting, greyhounds, and other popular sports.
There are also a ton of niche sports, such as:
- Boxing
- Darts
- MMA
- Futsal
- Lotto
and others.
Moreover, if you’re a fan of eSports, you can enjoy a wide selection of sports and events to bet on, including DotA 2 International and LoL World Champs.
And, if you love betting on virtual sports, you can find them in the eSports section.
There aren’t many options, but you can bet on the most popular ones — virtual football and basketball.
Bet365 Cricket
Bet365 knows that cricket is in every Indian’s DNA, so they made sure to offer an incredible betting experience for all cricket lovers.
You can choose between hundreds of matches every day covering the IPL, international matches, Twenty20, Big Bash, and more.
Another interesting feature is the live audio commentary.
This feature is available only for horse racing, greyhound betting, football, and cricket. You can find it if you scroll down to the bottom of the page and check the “Audio” section.
While available for lesser sports, it is a handy feature, especially since it covers Cricket and Football. If you cannot watch a match live due to a poor internet connection or any other issue with the stream, you can use the live commentary to change bets on the go.
Bet365 IPL
When it comes to betting on the IPL, Bet365 is really going the extra mile. You have the opportunity to bet on all IPL matches, and you also have lots of betting options.
Players can bet on the following:
- Top team batsman
- Outright wins
- To win the match
- Most run-outs
- First wicket method
- Highest individual score
- Most match sixes
- Player performance
and much more.
Bet365 In-Play Betting and Live Streaming
Bet365 offers live betting for practically all matches, but HD live streaming sets them apart from other brands.
Every year, the brand live streams over 190,000 events.
This ultimate betting experience is available only to players who have a registered account at Bet365 and have funds in their account.
So make sure you deposit some Rupees into your account.
How to Access Live Streaming
As we mentioned:
1. The first thing you need to do is deposit money into your betting account.
2. Then, choose a match, league, or sport you want to bet on and/or livestream.
In the right-side menu, you’ll see the “Live Streaming Highlights” option.
3. Click the option, and you’ll be taken to the live streaming page.
From there, you can watch live streams and place bets!
Is Bet365 Live Streaming Free?
Yes, live streaming at Bet365 is free for all registered members.
You’ll need to deposit money into your betting account, but the live-streaming service carries no additional fees.
Bet365 Statistics
Just like 22Bet, Bet365 has a large database of statistics, past results, and form curves for all major sports, but they mostly focus on soccer.
When it comes to cricket, you can find stats on anything from jockeys and horses to IPL teams. These stats could help you analyze the games and plan your bets.
Football Bet Builder
Another great betting tool you can find at Bet365 is a football bet builder.
This option will allow you to create your own betting combination with up to 12 bets.
You can access it from any page by going to the right-side menu and clicking it.
What’s best is that this option is available for all football matches!
Bet365 Casino Review
Exclusive Games
Live Casino Section
Limited Number of Games
Bet365 is primarily a sportsbook, so its casino section isn’t mind-blowing, but it’s still solid.
What we particularly liked are the exclusive games like Age of the Gods: Wonder Warriors.
There are also hundreds of slots by first-class game providers such as Microgaming and Playtech.
The game themes range from ancient Egypt to exotic, so there’s something for everyone.
When it comes to table games, blackjack and roulette are the most popular on Bet365.
There is also Andar Bahar, but the rest of this section is too limited compared to other online casinos.
Bet365 App and Mobile Site
Mobile Website Loads Fast
Responsive and Intuitive
No Lag
No Downloadable App for Indians
Bet365 mobile site provides the same experience as the desktop version and is equally as simple to navigate. The site works very fast, and we didn’t experience any lags.
You can place bets, watch live matches, and deposit and withdraw your money through the mobile site.
As for the app, Indians cannot use the app since the government banned it. The app is removed from the Google PlayStore and Apple App Store. Neither is it available on the Bet365 India site.
We confirmed the unavailability of the app for Indians via customer care.
Our Verdict
On the downside, Bet365 does not have an app, and also. Plus, we’d like customer care to understand better how new laws and bans impact Bet365 users.
Other than that, Bet365 is the perfect sportsbook. The number of betting options and markets surpasses most sportsbooks.
Moreover, they also have live streaming in HD, which takes the betting experience to an entirely different level.
FAQs
Are Bet365 winnings taxable in India?
Bet365 is restricted for Indian users. You can withdraw your earning till 4 September 2023. According to section 115BB of the Income Tax Act, these (and previous) earnings will get taxed at flat rate of 30% excluding cess, while the net rate with cess is 31.2%.
How can I open a Bet365 account in India?
No.You can no longer open an account on Bet365. That is because they do not accept Indian accounts.
Which one is better: Bet365 or Betway?
Bet365 and Betway don’t accept Indian accounts anymore. Hence, we’d recommend you go with 22Bet, Parimatch, 1xBet or 10Cric.
Does Bet365 accept Indian debit cards?
Bet365 has restricted its deposit page for existing Indian account as they no longer accept Indian players. Hence you cannot make deposits with debit cards, UPI, or other methods.
