From Federer to Nadal: India’s Tennis Betting Scene Hits an Ace

We all know how much of a sports fan India is, and many might think that the country only loves cricket. This might be true in many parts of India, but there are also other sports that locals love. One of them is tennis, and according to Playo, around 40% of India’s population enjoy this sport.

Since tennis is also a popular sport in the country, it also became one of the favored sports when it comes to online betting. Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal are some of the most loved tennis players in the country, but India also has great tennis players to be proud of like Rohan Bopanna.

In this article, we’ll have a look at the popularity of tennis betting and the sport itself in India.

How Popular is Tennis in India

The history of tennis in India traces back to the 1880s when the British Army and Civilian Officers introduced the game during the colonial era.

The popularity of this sport gave birth to tennis tournaments in the country like the Punjab Lawn Tennis Championship, Bengal Lawn Tennis Championship, and the All India Tennis Championships.

India has also produced several iconic tennis players of all time like Ramanathan Krishan, Vijay Amritaj, Leander Paes, Mahesh Bhupathi, Sania Mirza, Rohan Bopanna, and Ankita Raina.

The country also has a few well-renowned tennis academies run by some of the most popular tennis players we mentioned like the Mahesh Bhupathi Tennis Academies, Rohan Bopanna The Sports School Tennis Academy, the Indian Tennis Academy, and Jaidip Mukherjea Tennis Academy.

However, even if tennis is also a well-loved sport in India, it’s been a while since anyone was able to bring home the Grand Slam title at the French Open. The last Indian national who won a title in the French Open was Rohan Bopanna in 2017.

The most recent notable achievements of Indian players in tennis were during the Australian Open this year when Rohan Bopanna and Sania Mirza ended as runners-up.

Rise of Tennis Betting in the Country

Aside from sports, Indians are also known to enjoy gambling. This is why it doesn’t come as a surprise that online casinos and sportsbooks are now gaining so much popularity among the locals. 

Major tennis tournaments like the French Open, the US Open, the Indian Wells Masters, and the Australian Open attract a lot of attention not only from punters but also from online bookies offering their services in the country.

Indians are also increasingly drawn to tennis betting due to a combination of factors. Tennis has global popularity and major tournaments, especially when Indian players are involved, are simply a big deal. 

Moreover, the entertainment value of watching matches with bets on the line and the social aspect of discussing predictions with friends adds to the sport's allure. Many are simply enjoying a hassle-free online betting experience. Tennis fans can now easily place their bets anytime and anywhere and can shop for the best live tennis betting odds without much effort. 

The Legal Landscape of Betting in India

At the national level, India mainly relies on the Public Gaming Act of 1867 for regular gambling activities. However, this is one of the oldest laws in the country, and it doesn’t have anything that covers online betting activities.

There’s also the Information Technology Act which was passed in 2000. This too has nothing on online gambling-related activities, and that’s why online betting on sports like tennis is technically neither legal nor illegal.

But do know that each state has the autonomy to enact its laws related to gambling and betting online.

The legal status of online betting remains a subject of debate and ambiguity. 

While some states are exploring the potential for revenue generation through legalized betting, others continue to view it as a social issue linked to addiction and crime.

The central government has not passed specific legislation addressing online betting, but some states like Telangana and Andhra Pradesh have already taken steps to prohibit it. As a result, the legal landscape for online betting varies widely from state to state. 

Ultimately, the lack of uniformity in regulations and the absence of clear national legislation make the legal status of online betting in India a topic of ongoing debate and discussion.

Wrapping Up

In general, online betting continues to be a rising activity in India, and this includes tennis betting. We’ll continue seeing more online bookies offering tennis betting odds to the local market. 

As India continues to embrace the thrill of betting on tennis and other sports, it's crucial to underline the importance of responsible gambling practices. 

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