Written By:
Dennis Nath
About Author
Dennis has been honing his craft by writing content specifically tailored to the Indian market for the last 3 years. This helps him recognize the preferences of the Indian audience and adeptly create engaging and informative articles, reviews, and guides that resonate with the readers. He uses his experience reviewing tech products to test out various betting platforms and fact-check claims so you make informed decisions.
Fact Checked By:
Ana Gomes de Almeida
About Author
Before joining the team three years ago, Ana worked for five years behind the scenes for household brands like Betway and Betsson. She knows the ins and outs of casinos and sports betting sites. Having witnessed both the positive and negative aspects of the industry, she’s eager to share her expertise with fellow punters.
Last Update
20 days ago
Last update:
Is Betway Legal in India?
Betway India - Legal or Illegal?
If you are looking for reliable betting sites and apps, Betway is a great choice. But can you use Betway legally in India?
This is a question a lot of our readers ask. So after thorough research about the laws, here’s what you need to know about Betway’s legality and betting laws in India.
Disclaimer
The article is our interpretation of the laws and opinions on the apps. 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 general guidance.
Is Betway Legal or Illegal in India?
Betway is not legal or illegal in India. While there is a ban on the Betway app, Betway continues to provide online betting in India via their alternate site.
This is mainly because the ban isn’t strictly imposed. Plus, the amendments made to the Information and Technology Act 2000 still have some ambiguity and need further clarification.
So while the new betting laws do reduce the legal grey area that allowed Betway to operate in India legally, it doesn’t eliminate it.
Confused? Let’s take a closer look at the ban and the amendments.
Why Was the Betway App Banned?
Well, the authorities justified the ban by stating these betting and gambling sites operate offshore, and thus, it is impossible to prosecute these platforms for any legal cases.
And if you have read our Betway review, you know it’s registered in Malta. And while it has licenses worldwide, like the UK, US, France, etc., it has no license or registration in India.
The authorities also suggested that they see these sites as a financial and socio-economic risk for users, especially the youth.
Furthermore, this could have been done in light of the amendments to the Information and Technology Act 2000 on 6th April 2023 by the MeitY.
The amendments state that only real money games approved by SRBs (Self Regulatory Bodies) or MeitY can operate legally in India, and Betway has yet to get any approvals.
So Can Betway Get SRB Approval?
No, Betway cannot get SRB or MeitY approvals yet.
This is because Section 3, clause (a) of the new rules states that any online real money game can only be deemed as a permissible online real money game by the SRBs if it does not provide betting on outcomes.
And since Betway provides wagering on outcomes, it is not possible for it to get the required approval to operate legally in India.
However, the laws do not differentiate between a game of chance and a game of skill. For example, the Supreme Court of India upheld that betting on horse racing is a game of skill.
So if Betway were to provide betting on horse racing alone, would it get SRB approval?
It is also important to note that the amendments aim to protect the users better and ensure responsible gaming rather than punish anyone. This is because it does not impose any fines or punishments on Indian bettors or sportsbooks.
But rather asks online gaming platforms to take a number of steps like do user KYC, appoint grievance officer, etc.
Furthermore, SROs do not have the authority (nor the guidance) to go after individual players or gaming platforms.
However, the new amendments do not overrule the bans put in place by the states. So as it stands, online betting would continue to be punishable offence in Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, and Tamil Nadu even if the SRBs were to allow Betway.
If you have doubts about using Betway due to the ban and the new laws, here’s an alternate platform that is one of the most trusted betting sites and isn’t included in the list of banned apps in India.
Betway Alternative
Like Betway, Leon Bet India allows Indian bettors to bet on multiple sports, including Cricket and Football. It also has a trusted Curacao license and undertakes all safety measures like SSL encryption, following Anti Money Laundering rules, etc.
The games are also RNG-certified. This means that the games are regularly tested to make sure there is no bias or manipulation that could hurt the interests of its customers.
Looking for more info on the platform before making your first bet? This detailed Leon Bet review covers the in-detail, the good, the bad, and the ugly about the sportsbook.
Takeaway
The SRBs are still a work in progress, and it can be some months before we see the proposed SRBs get the government nod. In the meantime, MeitY continues to monitor the legality of apps and the enforcement of bans.
Once SRBs are formed, their guidelines will better clarify the future of online betting and gambling in India and if Betway becomes legal.
We have written to the Betway team to see what they have to say about the latest laws and hope to hear back from them.
Till then, we’ll keep tabs on all the latest news and changes and continue to provide up-to-date information so you make informed decisions.
FAQs
Does Betway accept Indian players?
While Betway accepts Indian players, there is a ban on Betway and new laws that make it illegal for Indians to bet using it.
Is withdrawing my winnings from Betway India legal?
No, with the latest ban and the new laws coming to light, it isn’t legal to withdraw winnings from Betway.
Is Betway legal in Andhra Pradesh
No, Betway is not legal in Andhra Pradesh as the state govt amended the AP Gaming Act 1974 in 2020 to make online betting and gambling a punishable offence.
Is Betway legal in Telangana
No, Betway is not legal in Telengana. Like Andhra Pradesh, Telangana also has a statewide ban on online betting and gambling after amending the Telangana Gaming Act 1974.
Is Betway legal in Tamil Nadu
No, Betway is not legal in Tamil Nadu. It is one of the most recent states to ban online betting and gambling after the governor approved the Tamil Nadu Prohibition of Online Gambling and Regulation of Online Games Bill in April 2023.
Is the Betway App Legal in India?
No, the Betway App is also illegal in India. Google PlayStore and the Apple App Store removed the official Betway app post the ban and new laws.
