Horse racing is one of the oldest sports in the world that dates back to the Greek Olympic Games. Over the years, horse racing grew into one of the most popular sports for betting and there is a good reason for that.
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First of all, the thrill and excitement that every horse race brings to bettors in that 2-minute fast-paced action cannot be substituted with anything else. Secondly, horse racing is known for having much better odds compared to other sports, and the ability to make higher profits sounds appealing for everyone.
Horse racing wouldn’t be the same without betting. In fact, it is one of the top sports in terms of the amount people wager but has much less popular when it comes to watching time.
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But despite its global acceptance, horse racing betting isn’t legal everywhere.
In today’s article, we will focus on India and its point of view on the betting market.
Betting in India
It is a well-known fact that most sports betting is illegal in India. So, if you want to place a bet on cricket or football, you won’t be allowed.
However, the situation is much different with horse racing. With so many turf clubs around the country and horse racing events happening throughout the year, obviously, the sport is very popular.
But is it legal to bet on horse racing? The short answer is yes!
According to India’s Public Gambling Act of 1867, all betting and gambling activities are considered illegal.
However, later in 1996, the Supreme Court of India ruled that winning a horse race bet is not merely based on chance, but the bettor needs to have significant knowledge about the breed of the horse, the location of the race, their training, and the abilities of the jockey. Therefore, betting on horse racing shouldn’t be considered as a ‘game of chance’, but a ‘game of skill’. With that rule, horse racing is exempt from the current betting laws of the country and it is completely legal.
Why Horse Racing Betting is Legal and Not Other Sports?
Well, the good news is that India has adopted and opened its mind regarding the possibility of legalizing sports betting. On top of that, various stakeholders have realized the immense potential of the entire sports betting industry and what it means for the country.
The Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry has valued the sports betting industry at a high level, which possibly means a bright future for other types of betting.
The main reason why horse racing betting is allowed in India and not other sports has to do with how the government sees the sport. For instance, they acknowledge horse racing to be a ‘game of skill’ and not a ‘game of chance’, which is a bit weird since most other sports share the same characteristics as being a ‘game of skill’ like horse racing.
For example, horse racing has different forms of wagers. You can bet on horizontal, vertical, and exotic bets, and the Indian government sees this as only knowledgeable people can place bets on horse racing.
With that said, the only thing to assume is that India sees the potential of betting and since horse racing is embedded heavily into the roots of the country, it is best for everyone to legalize betting. Even though this law hasn’t been changed for years, many rumors and indications suggest that the Indian government will start to soften the way they see other sports, which will result in their legalization.
For now, the only available option for betting in India is horse racing. Fortunately, there are plenty of legitimate online sportsbooks like TwinSpires horse racing platform, that offers horse racing betting with competitive odds and great race coverage.
Since horse racing is the only legal sport to bet on in India, choosing a good sportsbook is very important. Try to find an online bookmaker that offers a great user experience, customer support, and other bonuses and benefits that can help you kickstart your betting journey.
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