Last Updated on August 8, 2026 by Maurya
Cricket and betting have long attracted overlapping interest in India, particularly around high-profile competitions such as the Indian Premier League (IPL), ICC tournaments, bilateral series and domestic T20 leagues. Search demand for terms such as “top 10 cricket betting sites in India,” “best cricket betting sites India 2026,” and “best cricket bookies” therefore remains substantial.
However, anyone researching cricket betting sites in India in 2026 needs to understand one major development before comparing bookmakers.
India introduced the Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Act, 2025, and the Central Government brought the legislation into force on 1 May 2026. The Act expressly prohibits online money games and online money gaming services. It also restricts advertisements promoting online money games and the facilitation of financial transactions for these services.
That makes the 2026 market very different from the one described by many older betting-site guides.
Top 10 Cricket Betting Sites Commonly Searched in India
| # | Bookmaker | Known For | India-Facing Evidence in 2026 | India-Licensed? |
| 1 | 1xBet | Large cricket market selection | Yes | No evidence of Indian authorisation |
| 2 | Dafabet | Cricket-focused sportsbook | Yes | No evidence of Indian authorisation |
| 3 | Parimatch | Live sports markets | India-specific support pages remain online | No evidence of Indian authorisation |
| 4 | Stake | International cricket coverage | India cricket pages visible | No evidence of Indian authorisation |
| 5 | 10CRIC | Cricket-focused branding | India-targeted pages visible | No evidence of Indian authorisation |
| 6 | Melbet | Broad sportsbook | India-facing site content visible | No evidence of Indian authorisation |
| 7 | 22Bet | Sports and cricket markets | India payment/content pages visible | No evidence of Indian authorisation |
| 8 | Mostbet | Cricket and international sports | India-targeted reviews/pages visible | No evidence of Indian authorisation |
| 9 | BetWinner | Cricket, esports and football | India-targeted content visible | No evidence of Indian authorisation |
| 10 | MegaPari | Sportsbook and casino products | India-targeted domains visible | No evidence of Indian authorisation |
The crucial distinction is between “available or marketed online” and “legally authorised in India.” These are not the same thing.
1xBet
1xBet remains one of the most visible international bookmaker brands associated with cricket betting searches in India.
Its India-facing website continued publishing cricket content during 2026, including dedicated coverage of the IPL and ICC Men’s T20 World Cup. The operator states that it provides pre-match and live cricket markets covering domestic and international competitions.
Typical cricket markets advertised by international sportsbooks of this type include:
- Match winner
- Innings totals
- Total runs
- Player performance
- Wickets
- Boundaries
- Series betting
- Live/in-play markets
1xBet also promotes live cricket betting and selected streaming features through its India-oriented pages.
2026 verdict
Although the website continues to target cricket audiences, this should not be interpreted as evidence that 1xBet has an Indian online-money-gaming licence.
Under India’s current national framework, offering online money gaming is prohibited. Therefore, readers should not confuse accessibility of a website with regulatory approval.
Dafabet
Dafabet has historically been particularly visible in Asian sports betting markets, and cricket remains one of its strongest sports.
Its current website lists partnerships with several cricket organisations and provides dedicated cricket content. India-specific pages advertise cricket markets and INR-denominated promotions.
Dafabet states that the platform is operated by Osmila N.V., incorporated in Curaçao.
This highlights an important point for Indian readers:
An offshore licence or overseas corporate registration does not equal authorisation from Indian regulators.
Cricket coverage
The platform’s cricket section has referenced competitions including:
- ICC tournaments
- The Hundred
- Ranji Trophy
- Big Bash League
- Caribbean Premier League
- T20 competitions
- Vijay Hazare Trophy
- Domestic and international cricket
Its India pages also continue to display INR-denominated promotions in 2026.
2026 verdict
Dafabet clearly maintains India-focused web content, but readers should evaluate it within India’s new legal environment rather than relying on older articles describing offshore sportsbooks as automatically “legal in India.”
Parimatch
Parimatch is another bookmaker frequently associated with cricket betting searches.
India-oriented Parimatch support pages still describe registration, account verification, sports betting and cricket betting features.
Its documentation has also described mobile sports betting with both upcoming and live events.
Interestingly, the main Parimatch page can also report that the service is not fully available in a user’s region, illustrating why users should never assume that historical availability guarantees present-day access.
2026 verdict
Parimatch remains a recognisable betting brand, but there is no basis here for describing it as an Indian-licensed cricket bookmaker.
Stake
Stake is internationally prominent and maintains an extensive cricket sportsbook.
Its current cricket page lists betting markets across:
- Test cricket
- ODIs
- T20 cricket
- Domestic leagues
- International competitions
- Pre-match markets
- Live cricket
Stake also maintains a page specifically covering Indian cricket markets.
From a product perspective, its cricket coverage is extensive.
However, readers need to distinguish the existence of an India-related webpage from official Indian regulatory approval.
2026 verdict
Stake may appear prominently in cricket sportsbook searches, but it should not be labelled a “legal Indian bookmaker” without specific authorisation under Indian law.
10CRIC
As its name suggests, 10CRIC has built much of its branding around cricket and Indian sports audiences.
India-facing pages promote coverage of cricket tournaments, live odds and sports markets. Some current pages also advertise Indian payment methods and INR-denominated accounts.
However, users should be particularly cautious when multiple similarly branded domains appear in search results.
A professional sportsbook review should verify:
- The exact website domain
- Operating company
- Gambling licence
- Licence number
- Applicable jurisdiction
- Withdrawal rules
- KYC requirements
- Complaint procedure
Never rely solely on the word “official” appearing in a site’s title.
2026 verdict
10CRIC remains highly relevant to searches for cricket-focused betting platforms, but its online visibility should not be confused with Indian regulatory approval.
Melbet
Melbet offers a large international sportsbook and maintains India-facing web content.
Its current India-oriented information describes more than 1,000 sporting events being offered daily, including cricket alongside football, tennis, basketball and numerous other sports.
The site also advertises live betting and a broad range of market types.
2026 verdict
Melbet fits the profile of an international sportsbook targeting multiple countries. Indian readers should nevertheless apply India’s current online-money-gaming rules before considering any real-money activity.
- 22Bet
22Bet has one of the broader sportsbook selections among international operators appearing in India-focused search results.
Its cricket content covers markets such as:
- Match winner
- Top batter
- Total runs
- Player performance
- Wickets
- Tournament betting
- Live betting
The operator also publishes country-specific payment information that references India and Indian payment methods.
That payment information needs additional context in 2026, however.
Section 7 of India’s Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Act prohibits banks, financial institutions and other persons facilitating transactions from facilitating payments towards online money gaming services.
Therefore, a betting site’s claim that a payment method is technically available should not be taken as evidence that its use complies with Indian law.
2026 verdict
22Bet provides substantial cricket coverage, but it cannot responsibly be presented here as an India-authorised bookmaker.
Mostbet
Mostbet frequently appears in searches for international betting sites available to Indian audiences.
Recent 2026 sportsbook reviews continue to describe cricket betting, live wagering and India-oriented accounts.
Its appeal historically came from having both mainstream markets and a significant selection of additional events.
2026 verdict
Mostbet remains a commonly searched offshore bookmaker brand. That does not establish legal approval to provide online money gaming in India after the national regulatory changes introduced in 2026.
- BetWinner
BetWinner is another international bookmaker regularly compared with 1xBet, 22Bet and similar operators.
A July 2026 review aimed at Indian users describes the platform as having substantial cricket and football coverage alongside esports.
This is useful evidence that the brand remains part of the India-facing online betting ecosystem, but again it is not evidence of an Indian licence.
2026 verdict
BetWinner may have the sportsbook functionality cricket bettors look for, but the regulatory question takes priority over bonuses, odds or market variety.
MegaPari
MegaPari rounds out our list of bookmaker names frequently encountered in India betting searches.
India-targeted websites promote cricket and other sports markets, INR accounts and mobile betting.
One reason additional caution is warranted is that betting-related search results can contain multiple domains making different claims about operating companies and licences.
That makes independent verification especially important.
2026 verdict
MegaPari may be marketed to Indian users, but being marketed in India does not mean being authorised under India’s current online-gaming framework.
Is Online Cricket Betting Legal in India in 2026?
This is the most important section of this guide.
Older articles frequently describe Indian gambling law as a patchwork of state legislation built around the Public Gambling Act of 1867, with debates over games of skill versus games of chance.
That description is no longer sufficient for online betting in 2026.
India’s Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Act, 2025 contains a specific prohibition on online money games and online money gaming services.
Section 5 prohibits offering, aiding, abetting, inducing or otherwise engaging in the offering of online money games or online money gaming services. Section 6 prohibits advertising that promotes or induces participation in online money games, while Section 7 addresses the facilitation of financial transactions.
The government formally appointed 1 May 2026 as the date on which the Act came into force.
The framework also established the Online Gaming Authority of India (OGAI).
This means articles claiming broadly that “online cricket betting is legal in India because the bookmaker is located offshore” should be treated with considerable scepticism.
Offshore Licence vs Indian Licence
This distinction is essential.
Imagine a bookmaker holds a licence issued in Curaçao, Anjouan or another overseas jurisdiction.
That licence may authorise the operator to conduct gambling under the rules of the issuing jurisdiction.
It does not automatically give the operator permission to offer gambling in India.
The same principle exists in many regulated industries: authorisation in one country does not override the laws of another country where customers are located.
What Makes a Good Cricket Sportsbook?
If India’s regulatory environment changes in the future and authorised real-money sportsbooks become available, there are several factors that should determine which platforms deserve to be called the best.
- Genuine Regulatory Approval
Licensing should be the first consideration—not bonuses.
Check:
- Name of regulator
- Licence number
- Operating company
- Registered address
- Markets covered by the licence
- Whether the licence covers customers in your country
A logo in a website footer is not enough.
- Strong Cricket Coverage
A genuinely competitive cricket sportsbook should cover more than the IPL.
Useful coverage can include:
- Test cricket
- ODI cricket
- T20 internationals
- ICC tournaments
- IPL
- Women’s cricket
- Big Bash League
- The Hundred
- Caribbean Premier League
- Domestic tournaments
- Competitive Odds
Small differences in odds matter.
Suppose one bookmaker prices an outcome at 1.80 while another offers 1.90.
A ₹1,000 winning wager would produce:
- 1.80 odds: ₹1,800 total return
- 1.90 odds: ₹1,900 total return
That ₹100 difference becomes significant across repeated bets.
Nevertheless, better odds never remove the possibility of losing the entire stake.
- Clear Withdrawal Rules
Withdrawal reliability should carry more weight than a flashy welcome bonus.
Before depositing money with any legally permitted sportsbook, users should check:
- Minimum withdrawal
- Maximum withdrawal
- Identification requirements
- Processing periods
- Withdrawal fees
- Source-of-funds requirements
- Account verification rules
- Responsible-Gambling Controls
Quality regulated sportsbooks should provide tools such as:
- Deposit limits
- Loss limits
- Session reminders
- Cooling-off periods
- Self-exclusion
- Account closure
- Reality checks
Betting should never be presented as an investment or guaranteed income source.
Popular Cricket Betting Markets Explained
Understanding the terminology can still be useful from an educational perspective.
Match Winner
The simplest cricket market predicts which team wins the match.
Top Batter
This market concerns which player scores the most runs according to the bookmaker’s settlement rules.
Top Bowler
The wager concerns the player expected to take the most wickets.
Total Runs
An over/under line is set for a team’s or match’s total runs.
Player Runs
A sportsbook sets a line for an individual batter, and the market predicts whether their score will finish above or below it.
Total Sixes
Similar markets can be offered for the total number of sixes or boundaries.
Live Betting
Live or in-play odds change after the match has started.
The faster pace can make in-play betting particularly risky because it encourages rapid decisions under emotional pressure.
Are Online Gaming Winnings Taxable in India?
Tax and legality should not be confused.
India’s Income Tax Department states that net winnings from online games are taxed at 30% under Section 115BBJ, with TDS provisions under Section 194BA.
The department explains that TDS can apply at withdrawal or, where applicable, at the end of the financial year.
However:
The existence of a tax rule does not by itself make an activity legally permitted.
Tax legislation and gaming legislation address different legal questions.
Anyone dealing with material winnings, historic gambling transactions or uncertain tax liabilities should obtain advice from an appropriately qualified Indian tax professional.
How We Evaluated Cricket Betting Brands
For this 2026 guide, the most important evaluation criteria were different from those used in older bookmaker reviews.
We looked at:
- Current 2026 web presence
- Cricket-specific market coverage
- India-facing pages
- Transparency over operating entities
- Licensing claims
- Mobile functionality
- KYC information
- Payment information
- Responsible-gambling messaging
- Current Indian regulatory status
Legal and regulatory status was given greater weight than bonuses or promotional claims.
Red Flags to Avoid
Indian users researching betting websites should be cautious of any platform or affiliate website that:
- Claims betting is “100% legal in India” without citing current law
- Promises guaranteed cricket winnings
- Advertises fixed IPL matches
- Promises risk-free betting
- Uses unexplained mirror domains
- Hides the operating company
- Provides no verifiable licence number
- Encourages VPN use to bypass restrictions
- Tells users to circumvent payment blocks
- Guarantees withdrawals
- Promises to recover previous gambling losses
No legitimate bookmaker can guarantee the result of a cricket match.
FAQs
What are the top 10 cricket betting sites in India in 2026?
Frequently searched international brands include 1xBet, Dafabet, Parimatch, Stake, 10CRIC, Melbet, 22Bet, Mostbet, BetWinner and MegaPari.
However, this is not a list of India-licensed or legally approved sportsbooks. India’s Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Act now prohibits online money games and associated services.
Which is the best cricket betting site in India?
Under the current 2026 regulatory framework, it would be misleading to designate an offshore sportsbook as the “best legal cricket betting site in India.”
The more important question is whether a service is authorised to provide real-money gaming to Indian users.
Is cricket betting legal in India in 2026?
India’s Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Act, 2025 came into force on 1 May 2026 and includes a prohibition on online money games and online money gaming services.
Anyone requiring advice about their specific circumstances should consult an appropriately qualified Indian legal professional.
Are offshore betting sites legal in India?
Being licensed overseas does not automatically authorise an operator to provide online money gaming to people in India.
Always distinguish between an international gambling licence and permission to operate in India.
Can Indian players use UPI for cricket betting?
Some offshore websites continue advertising Indian payment methods. However, Section 7 of the Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Act addresses financial transactions connected with online money gaming services.
Technical availability of a payment option should therefore never be interpreted as proof of legality.
Do I have to pay tax on betting or online-gaming winnings?
The Income Tax Department states that net winnings from online games are taxable at 30% under Section 115BBJ and sets out TDS requirements under Section 194BA.
Tax treatment does not itself determine whether the underlying gaming activity is permitted.
Final Verdict
There is no shortage of international bookmakers competing for cricket-related search traffic. Brands such as 1xBet, Dafabet, Parimatch, Stake, 10CRIC, Melbet, 22Bet, Mostbet, BetWinner and MegaPari continue to appear in India-focused searches and, in several cases, maintain websites or content designed specifically around Indian cricket fans.
But the most important development in 2026 is not a bigger IPL bonus, faster mobile app or wider range of betting markets.
It is India’s new national online-gaming legislation.
The Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Act, 2025 came into force on 1 May 2026, prohibiting online money games, their promotion and relevant payment facilitation.
Consequently, describing an offshore sportsbook as a “legal Indian betting site” merely because its website accepts Indian visitors, displays INR or advertises cricket would be inaccurate.
For users comparing cricket betting websites in 2026, regulatory authorisation should come before odds, bonuses, payment methods or app quality.
And for publishers covering the top 10 cricket betting sites in India, that distinction is now essential for producing accurate, trustworthy and genuinely E-E-A-T-focused content.
Responsible gambling notice: Real-money betting involves a genuine risk of financial loss. Never treat gambling as a source of guaranteed income, never chase losses, and never use money required for essential expenses.
