The question of Bet365’s legality in India is complex and requires careful examination of current regulations and the platform’s operational status. While Bet365 was once a popular choice for Indian bettors, its status has changed, making it essential to understand the current situation as of 2025.

Historical Legal Landscape

Historically, the legality of online betting in India has been ambiguous due to the absence of specific federal laws governing it. The primary legislation, the Public Gambling Act of 1867, mainly addresses physical gambling houses, leaving a gray area for online betting platforms. This allowed offshore betting sites to operate in India, provided they were based outside the country and accepted Indian Rupees.

Bet365’s Current Status in India

However, as of August 2023, Bet365 no longer accepts new players from India. This means that while there are no explicit federal laws forbidding online betting, Bet365 has made a business decision to withdraw from the Indian market. As a result, Bet365 is not currently a legal platform in India.

Reasons for Withdrawal

Although the exact reasons for Bet365’s departure from India are not definitively stated, several factors may have influenced this decision:

• Regulatory Complexities: The intricacies of Indian state laws concerning online wagering can pose operational challenges.
• Business Strategy: Bet365 may have reassessed its strategic priorities, leading to a decision to exit the Indian market.

Alternatives for Indian Bettors

Despite Bet365’s unavailability, Indian bettors have alternative legal options. Platforms like 1xBet and 22Bet offer similar betting experiences and are legal in India, provided they operate offshore and accept Indian Rupees.

Global Legality and Licensing

Bet365 operates globally under licenses from respected regulatory authorities such as the UK Gambling Commission and the Malta Gaming Authority. These licenses ensure that Bet365 adheres to strict standards of fairness, security, and responsible gambling in the jurisdictions where it operates. However, its legality varies by country, with restrictions in places like the United States (with some state exceptions), France, and Belgium.

VPN Usage

Attempting to access Bet365 from a restricted country using a VPN is against the platform’s terms of service. Bet365 has measures in place to detect and prevent unauthorized access, and users who violate these terms risk account suspension or closure.

Staying Informed

To stay informed about the legal status of Bet365 and other betting platforms, users should regularly check official sources such as local gambling regulatory bodies and announcements from the betting platforms themselves.

Conclusion

In Summary, while Bet365 was once accessible in India, it is no longer a legal platform for Indian players as of August 2023. Indian sports fans who wish to wager on tournaments may need to consider other authorized platforms. Users should always verify the legality of a betting platform in their specific jurisdiction and adhere to responsible gambling practices.