Is Bet365 Legal in India?
This is the most searched question about bet365 in India, and it deserves a straight answer. Online betting for real money is prohibited across India under the Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Act, 2025, and bet365 has been widely reported to have stopped accepting Indian customers in 2023. This page explains what changed, what the law now says, how to spot the fake bet365 sites that fill the gap, and what that means for you.
This is general information, not legal advice. 18+ only.
Is bet365 legal in India: the short answer
No — not for real-money betting in 2026. Two separate changes explain why.
- 2023 bet365 reportedly stopped accepting customers from India
- August 2025 the Online Gaming Act banned online money games nationwide
- Offshore sites are explicitly covered by the ban
- App Store India lists only the bet365 Authenticator, not the betting app
Why bet365 left the Indian market
In 2023 India introduced 28% GST on the full value of deposits for online gaming. Several industry and comparison sites report that bet365 stopped accepting Indian customers around August 2023, because the tax made the market commercially unworkable. bet365 has not published a detailed public statement for India, so treat the exact timing as reported rather than official.
One thing you can check yourself: in the Indian App Store, bet365's only listing is the bet365 Authenticator security app. The bet365 sports betting app that is available in the UK and Australia does not appear.
What the Online Gaming Act 2025 says
The Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Act, 2025 received Presidential assent on 22 August 2025. It promotes e-sports and social games, and prohibits online money games — any game where you pay or stake money expecting to win money.
The Act targets the services rather than individual players. Offering, advertising and facilitating payments for online money games are offences, and the ban applies to platforms based outside India that make their services available to Indian users.
- Prohibited online money games, including sports betting
- Offences offering, advertising and processing payments
- Scope includes offshore platforms serving India
- Allowed e-sports and social games without money stakes
Fake bet365 sites and apps
When a big brand leaves a market, copies appear. Sites using the bet365 name, "mirror" links shared in Telegram and WhatsApp groups, and APK files promising a "bet365 India app" are a common route to phishing and lost deposits. They are not bet365, and there is no regulator in India you could complain to if your money disappears.
Our bet365 login guide explains how to recognise phishing pages and protect any existing account.
- Never install an APK from a chat or forum
- Never pay through a UPI handle shared in a message
- Check the web address before entering a password
What this means for Indian cricket fans
You can still follow cricket closely — scores, stats and the way markets are priced are all legitimate interests. Our cricket guide and IPL betting guide explain how cricket markets work, so you understand odds you see in the news or abroad.
What you should not do is deposit money on an offshore site from India: it is prohibited, payments can be blocked or reversed, and you have no local protection if something goes wrong.
Where to get help
If gambling is already causing problems for you or someone close to you, free and confidential support is available. Call the Tele-MANAS mental health helpline on 14416, or contact a Gamblers Anonymous India group.
FAQ
Is bet365 legal in India?
No. Since the Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Act, 2025, real-money online betting is prohibited across India, including on offshore sites. bet365 has also been reported to have stopped accepting Indian customers in 2023.
Why did bet365 leave India?
Industry reports link the exit to the 28% GST on online gaming deposits introduced in 2023, which made the market commercially unviable. bet365 has not published a detailed public statement.
Is the bet365 app available in India?
In the Indian App Store, bet365 lists only its Authenticator security app. The bet365 sports betting app is not listed there. Do not install APK files from unofficial sources.
Can I use a VPN to access bet365 from India?
Using a VPN to get around a ban breaks bookmakers' terms, can lead to account closure and does not change Indian law. We do not recommend it.
Where can I get help with gambling in India?
Call the Tele-MANAS helpline on 14416 for free, confidential support, or contact a Gamblers Anonymous India group.
Know the law before anything else
This page is general information, not legal advice. Check official sources for the current position. 18+ only.
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