India is simply one of the most diverse countries when it comes to sports. It can’t be argued that people in India follow a variety of sports. From cricket and soccer to less popular sports like chess and wrestling, nothing is left out.
Of course, there are some sports that are by far more popular than others. For example, most people know that cricket is the most well-known sport in India. In fact, recent research by the ICC shows that Indian people are responsible for an impressive 90% of cricket’s popularity worldwide. But cricket is not the only popular sport in India for betting.
In this blog post, we will have a look at how to choose the best sporting event and betting website for your needs. By the end of this 5-minute read, you will also know which sports are the most popular in India when it comes to betting.
How to bet on India’s biggest sport events?
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So, cricket is certainly one of the greatest sports to bet on in India. But that is not all. India hosts major tournaments for several popular sports such as soccer, field hockey and horse riding. This allows people to bet on major sporting events.
Bets can usually be placed in both land-based and online betting sites. However, online betting websites are usually more popular as they offer a wide range of sports, betting options and often even bonuses. But how can someone choose a betting site for the biggest sporting events in India? Let us take a closer look at the things you can consider before making your final choice.
How to choose the best betting website for sports events?
In a few words, choosing the best sports betting site depends on your personal needs and preferences. For example, if you need a platform that deals extensively with cricket, 10CRIC is the best website for betting on IPL. Such a trustworthy platform allows you to choose from a wide range of sporting events (not just cricket) and offers multiple payment options.
Other parameters you can take into account are the presence (or absence) of a mobile app, the reputation of the betting site and the security that the platform offers to the user. So, it becomes clear that choosing the best betting site for the main sporting events in India is crucial.
Now that you have decided on a reliable betting website, all you have to do is choose the sporting events you would like to bet on. When it comes to India, there are 5 sports that are by far the most wagered on.
The top 5 sports in India that you can bet on
Although there are many well-known sports in India, the following are the most popular ones you can bet on. Clearly, there are a few parameters that lead to this popularity. Cricket and soccer, for example, are easier to bet on and offer more betting variety than sports like wrestling or chess. So, without further ado, let us take a look at the 5 most popular sports in India that you can bet on:
1. Cricket
When it comes to competitiveness, there is nothing better than cricket. This is one of the main reasons why cricket sporting events are very popular to bet on. India hosts some of the biggest cricket tournaments in the world. The Indian Premier League (IPL) is arguably one of the most competitive cricket leagues worldwide.
India has also hosted and won the Cricket World Cup more than once and the national team has won several Olympic medals. There is no denying that cricket is by far the biggest sporting event in India to bet on. That said, betting on cricket is not easy and there are analysis strategies that players use.
2. Soccer
Soccer, or the “king sport” for numerous countries around the world, is not the most popular sport in India. Nevertheless, the soccer industry in India has grown recently. This is one of the reasons why soccer betting is also becoming more and more popular.
Soccer betting is generally very simple and bookmakers in India offer numerous options and a variety of betting combinations. Again, there are many strategies and approaches that someone can take when betting on soccer in India. From half-time and full-time bets to handicaps and goalscorers, nothing is left out.
3. Field Hockey
Like cricket and soccer, field hockey is also popular in India. In fact, the country has long hosted major field hockey tournaments and has millions of fans in India. The two national teams (men’s and women’s) are very successful and India is always among the top 10 countries in the FIH rankings. India’s hockey state championship is also very competitive.
So, it should come as no surprise that betting on field hockey in India is very popular. The sport is easy to understand, and so are the betting rules and combinations. That’s why all major betting websites offer a variety of options for field hockey in India.
4. Kabaddi
Kabaddi is one of the most successful local games in India. In recent years, its popularity has been steadily growing. India has won all the major Kabaddi World Cups so far (2004, 2007 and 2016) but more and more countries learn and gradually create fans of the sport.
As a contact team sport, it offers numerous possibilities when it comes to betting as well. Likewise, all reputable bookmakers provide many markets and betting combinations for Kabaddi.
5. Horse Racing
The last sport that offers great events that are popular for betting is horse racing. This sport has been one of the most popular in India for years. With a long history of more than 200 years, horse racing was one of the first gambling industries in India.
Moreover, India has had many famous jockeys in the past, such as Pesi Shroff and Vasant Shinde. Nowadays, it is not easy to learn how to bet on a horse and a jockey. However, there are numerous strategies and tips for new players and bookmakers offer a variety of betting markets for their users.
