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Illegal betting sites start new innings as IPL action picks up

Economic Times · 8m

Illegal sports betting platforms such as Parimatch, Betway, 1XBet, Betfair, Crickex, Fairplay, and Lotus365 have increased their operations in India during the Indian Premier League (IPL), targeting cricket fans with discounts and promotions. E-Gaming Federation of India (EGF) has urged the government to ban these platforms, citing unlawful activities and risks to data, taxation, and national security. Despite online betting being prohibited in India, these websites continue to operate under different names and domains, offering special deals and enticing users. mFilterIt, a fraud detection agency, warns users of financial fraud and personal data misuse on these platforms. An estimated $100 billion in deposits were made on illegal betting sites in 2023, with the IPL being a driving force. The government is considering measures to address this issue, including a KYC database for legitimate players. The responsibility to crack down on these websites lies with the state governments.