Sports betting has grown exponentially in India over the years, and 2025 looks to be a landmark year for this industry. With technological advancements, better access to online betting platforms, and the explosion of interest in various sports, Indian punters have more options than ever before.
From cricket, which remains a national obsession, to emerging sports like eSports, the betting landscape is thriving. Here’s an in-depth look at the most popular sports for Indian bettors in 2025.
Cricket – The Undisputed Champion
Unsurprisingly, cricket continues to dominate as the most popular sport for betting among Indian punters. Whether it’s the Indian Premier League (IPL), international test matches, or T20 World Cups, cricket attracts millions of fans and bettors alike.
The IPL, in particular, drives massive betting activity due to its high-paced matches and the involvement of top players from around the world.
Betting markets in cricket are incredibly diverse. From predicting the winner to placing wagers on specific events like total runs, most sixes, or the number of wickets taken by a bowler, there’s something for everyone. Innovations like real-time betting have added an extra layer of excitement for punters, allowing them to place bets as the action unfolds.
Football – Rising Star in the Betting World
Football has steadily gained a significant following among Indian fans, and its prominence in the betting market is stronger than ever in 2025. With global leagues like the English Premier League (EPL), UEFA Champions League, and FIFA World Cup generating massive viewership, football appeals to a younger, tech-savvy audience.
Indian punters enjoy betting on various aspects of football, ranging from match outcomes and total goals scored to prop bets like the first goal scorer or corner kicks.
Online sportsbooks catering to football aficionados often provide live streaming options, enhancing the betting experience further. Major football tournaments also coincide with promotions and bonuses, adding to its popularity.
Kabaddi – A Local Favourite
Kabaddi, a sport deeply rooted in Indian tradition, has carved its niche in sports betting thanks to the Pro Kabaddi League (PKL). The league’s success has brought the game to mainstream attention, drawing millions of viewers and increasing betting activities around this thrilling, high-intensity sport.
The simplicity of kabaddi’s format makes it easy to understand for new bettors, while its unpredictable nature appeals to seasoned professionals.
Punt options commonly include predicting the match-winner, total points earned by the team, and specific player performances. With kabaddi maintaining its place as a crowd favorite, it’s no wonder it remains among the top sports dominating the betting scene in India.
eSports – A Game-Changer for Millennials
The year 2025 has firmly established eSports as a burgeoning market for Indian punters. With the rapid expansion of competitive gaming and the increasing number of young audiences engaging in this new-age phenomenon, eSports has become a prime contender for betting enthusiasts.
Games like Dota 2, Counter-Strike, and Valorant lead the betting scene in India, offering diverse wagering opportunities. Virtual tournaments featuring global teams bring the excitement of traditional sports into the digital era.
Accessibility to streaming platforms like YouTube Gaming and Twitch has further fueled interest among Indian punters, making eSports betting one of the fastest-growing segments in the country.
Tennis – The Year-Round Betting Favourite
Unlike seasonal sports, tennis boasts year-round action, making it a consistently popular choice for Indian bettors. Grand Slam events like the Australian Open, Wimbledon, French Open, and US Open attract significant betting interest, as do ATP and WTA tournaments.
Betting on tennis often includes markets like match winners, set scores, or even the number of aces served. The sport’s unpredictability and dramatic matches make tennis an exhilarating prospect for bettors, especially when top players deliver edge-of-the-seat performances.
Horse Racing – A Legacy Betting Sport in India
Horse racing, with its long-standing tradition, continues to attract a loyal following in 2025. Indian betting enthusiasts turn to prominent race events like the Indian Derby, Preakness Stakes, and various international circuits for high-stakes betting.
Despite newer sports drawing attention, horse racing maintains its charm due to its association with heritage and prestige.
Commonly placed bets in horse racing include win/place/show wagers and exotic bets like trifectas and quinellas. Whether it’s casual betting or high-tier stakes, the thrill of horse racing remains unmatched for a section of Indian punters who adore the sport.
Basketball – Growing Popularity Among Urban Bettors
Led by the excitement of the NBA (National Basketball Association), basketball has become increasingly popular on India’s betting circuit. The fast-paced nature of the sport, combined with the rising number of Indian fans following NBA games, makes it a lucrative option for sportsbooks.
Key markets in basketball betting include point spreads, over/under totals, and individual player statistics. The influence of prominent players and teams, coupled with social media coverage, has elevated the sport’s visibility, helping it capture a noteworthy share of the Indian betting audience.
Badminton – India’s Success Driving Engagement
India’s recent success in badminton, with players like PV Sindhu and Kidambi Srikanth shining brightly on international stages, has played a significant role in promoting the sport among punters.
Betting enthusiasts now eagerly follow tournaments like the All England Open and the Olympics for exciting betting opportunities.
Badminton betting primarily involves predicting match winners, set scores, and total points. The individual nature of the sport, combined with its relatively quick matches, ensures it remains a preferred option for many Indian bettors.
Regional Preferences & Demographics
India’s vast geography and diverse population mean that betting tastes vary significantly by region, age group, and gender:
- North vs. South:
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- In the North, cricket remains virtually universal, but football is making inroads—especially in Delhi, Punjab, and Haryana—where IPL viewership often runs neck-and-neck with local ISL (Indian Super League) matches. Meanwhile, kabaddi betting peaks in the Hindi belt (Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Rajasthan), thanks to strong PKL followings.
- In the South, football and tennis tip the scales. Kerala, Tamil Nadu, and Karnataka see higher-than-average wagers on EPL and La Liga, while Bengaluru’s IT crowd fuels both eSports and fantasy football bets. Horse-racing also retains a loyal following around Chennai and Hyderabad racecourses.
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- Urban vs. Rural:
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- Urban centres like Mumbai, Bangalore, and Kolkata drive the lion’s share of online betting traffic (over 70% by volume), favoring live in-play markets in cricket, football, and eSports. High smartphone penetration means mobile apps dominate urban usage.
- Rural bettors—though slower to adopt digital platforms—still bet heavily on cricket and kabaddi through regional agents and SMS-based services. As smartphone access expands, rural markets are beginning to embrace uncomplicated formats like single-match bets and micro-bets.
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- Age & Gender Breakdown:
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- 18–35 year olds account for nearly 60% of all eSports and football wagers, drawn by live-stream integration and social-media virality. This cohort is also the fastest adopter of newer payment options like UPI Quick-Scan and crypto.
- 35–50 year olds skew toward cricket and horse-racing, preferring pre-match fixed-odds markets and having higher average bet sizes.
- Women punters, while still a minority (roughly 15% of active accounts), are the fastest-growing segment, showing particular interest in tennis and badminton due to high visibility of Indian women athletes in those sports.
FairPlay India – The Best Site to Bet on Sports in 2025
FairPlay India has emerged as the go-to platform for sports betting enthusiasts in 2025. Operating under a Curaçao eGaming license and audited by eCOGRA for fairness, it combines regulatory compliance with a user-focused experience.
Renowned for its user-friendly interface, diverse betting options, and excellent customer service, FairPlay pro stands out as a pioneer in the online betting industry.
Whether you’re a casual bettor or a seasoned pro, the platform caters to all with its cutting-edge features and unmatched reliability.
One of the biggest draws of FairPlay India is its extensive sportsbook covering a wide array of sports like cricket, football, tennis, basketball, and badminton, among others. Cricket enthusiasts, in particular, are spoilt for choice with in-depth betting markets for major tournaments such as the IPL, ICC Cricket World Cup, and The Ashes.
Additionally, fans of rising sports like badminton and kabaddi will find tailored betting opportunities that enhance their gaming experience.
FairPlay India also excels in offering live betting options, enabling users to place bets in real-time as the action unfolds. Combined with competitive odds and fast payouts, the platform ensures that its users enjoy a seamless and rewarding experience.
Security and credibility are key priorities, with robust encryption protocols in place to safeguard user data and transactions.
Promotions and bonuses further add to the platform’s appeal, attracting both new and returning users. With features like a loyalty programme and referral bonuses, FairPlay India guarantees an engaging betting environment. For anyone seeking a reliable, safe, and exciting betting platform in 2025, FairPlay India remains the ultimate choice.
How to Get Started and Place Your First Bet on FairPlay?
Getting started on FairPlay India is simple and straightforward. Follow these steps to create your account and place your first bet:
- Sign Up. Visit the official FairPlay India website and click on the “Sign Up” button. Fill in the required details, such as your name, email address, and contact number, to create your account. Make sure to set up a secure password to protect your profile.
- Deposit Funds. Log in to your account and navigate to the deposit section. Select your preferred payment method, such as UPI, net banking, or cryptocurrency, and add funds to your wallet. Keep an eye out for deposit bonuses or promotions that may enhance your balance.
- Explore the Betting Options. Browse through the wide range of sports and events available on the platform. FairPlay India offers betting opportunities for cricket, football, tennis, and even esports, ensuring there’s something for everyone.
- Place Your First Bet. After choosing your desired event or match, review the betting odds and select the market you want to wager on. Enter your stake amount, confirm your bet, and you’re all set. Watch the live action unfold and enjoy the thrill of betting in real-time.
