Illegal Betting Surpasses $100 Billion Annually, Spikes During IPL

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As the 2025 edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL) nears, experts are raising concerns over the increase in illegal betting and gambling activities. A recent report by the Digital India Foundation has revealed that illegal betting transactions in India have exceeded $100 billion annually, with a 30% year-on-year growth.

Growth of Online Betting Platforms

The report highlights the influence of online betting platforms, with four major operators—Parimatch, Stake, 1xBet, and Battery Bet—receiving a combined total of 1.6 billion visits between October and December 2024. Social media platforms, including Facebook, Instagram, and Telegram, contributed to 42.8 million visits to these sites during the same period.

As reported by CNBC TV18, a key factor in this increase is digital marketing strategies. “This traffic stems from direct paid advertisements, such as those from Facebook Ad Network, promoted content, influencer marketing, and social media engagement campaigns,” the report stated. Furthermore, search engine optimization (SEO) tactics are being used by these platforms to rank higher on searches related to IPL betting and online gambling.

The Role of Social Media and Influencers

Illegal betting operators are using communication platforms like WhatsApp and Telegram to market their services. Many influencers with large followings are broadcasting gambling advertisements, often promoting these platforms to their audiences.

The report also stated that, until recently, Meta was hosting 1,040 advertisements related to betting and gambling across its platforms, including Facebook, Instagram, and Messenger. This has raised concerns about the role of social media companies in enabling these activities.

Financial and Security Risks

Arvind Gupta, Founder of the Digital India Foundation, highlighted the implications of illegal betting apps. Speaking to CNBC-TV18, he noted that these platforms could be used for money laundering and other financial activities, including the funding of elections in other countries. Additionally, some Indian users experience fraud, and the presence of multiple mule accounts makes it difficult to trace the flow of funds.

Calls for Regulatory Action

The report recommends that social media companies be held accountable for allowing illegal betting advertisements. It suggests that accepting payments for gambling-related promotions should be banned, and influencers who endorse such platforms should face penalties.

Experts argue that blocking websites alone is not an effective countermeasure. Instead, a broader approach is necessary, with collaboration between the government and digital platforms to manage online gambling.

As IPL 2025 approaches, authorities and digital platforms are under pressure to take action against the increase in illegal betting, ensuring that the tournament remains free from unlawful financial activities.

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