Launched in 2000, Betfair is undoubtedly one of the largest betting platforms in the world. It is home to over 4 million punters worldwide. Bettors spend over a whopping £ 50 million every week on sports such as cricket, Formula 1, and football.
Besides offering a comprehensive sportsbook, Betfair is also a renowned online betting exchange. Currently, this betting platform is licensed and headquartered in London, United Kingdom.
Related Reading: Is Online Betting Legal in India?
Using Betfair from India
Betfair used to allow Indian punters to register accounts using their address. The payment methods provided by Betfair were friendly to Indian players. However, this all changed in early 2019
Betfair ban in India
The Indian law on gambling strictly prohibits online betting. Like all sports betting sites, Betfair is banned in India. On 28th January 2019, Betfair announced that they would no longer accept bets from Indian players. They went ahead to shut down all accounts registered with Indian addresses.
Why Betfair was banned in India
The reality is that no online betting site has been legalized in India. However, the recent developments in the Indian betting laws signify that they are edging closer to legalizing online betting. More so, the Indian government has shown more desire to crack down on offshore gambling companies that accept Indian players. It is not clear why Betfair pulled out of the Indian market.
That said, the reason why Betfair decided to ban Indian players isn’t still clear. According to speculations, it could be because it was listed as one of the offshore companies offering services to Indians without authorization. And they don’t want to jinx their chances of getting licensed once betting is legalized in India.
What betting options Indian bettors have
There are plenty of betting options that are still open for Indian players who relish gambling. This includes Betway, Royal Panda, and Bet365. These platforms are not only happy to accept Indian punters, but they also allow them to fund their accounts in rupees.
Many offshore betting platforms are illegal in India. But the law does little to help. That is why most Indian players can still bet on their favourite sports online. However, Betfair’s case is different from others. The company has a geo-restriction on Indian players.
With that being said, it is almost impossible for an Indian punter to register with Betfair.