Telangana's blanket ban is turbo-charging the offshore online sports betting and casino economy, kills domestic gaming industry: finds PRAHAR consumer survey
The study reveals how sports betting and casino operators—most of them foreign offshore entities—continue to engage users directly through aggressive digital marketing, celebrity endorsements, and encrypted platforms, circumventing enforcement and raising critical threats to digital sovereignty and public safety.
The study titled Click. Bet. Repeat: Consumer Survey on Forces Driving Online Betting and Gambling in Telangana, is based on a comprehensive field study of 2,671 respondents who indulge in real money gaming . It uncovers how foreign betting operators target Indian users through online ads, YouTube videos, Telegram groups, and meme pages, often using local influencers to add legitimacy.
Explains Mr. Abhay Raj Mishra, President & National Convenor of PRAHAR: 'Telangana led the way in 2017 with a blanket ban on all online real-money plays—skill or chance—without even drawing a line between legal and illegal play. What was hailed as a bold move has, in reality, created the perfect storm for offshore sports betting and casino to thrive unchecked.'
'Eight years on, the evidence is undeniable: the ban has failed. Instead of protecting citizens, it has driven domestic operators out and handed the market on a silver platter to offshore betting syndicates. This has left users more vulnerable than ever. The newly formed SIT has its work cut out—but let's be clear: more bans and crackdowns won't solve what is now a deep-rooted menace undermining national security.', he adds
Calling out strong recommendations, Mr. Mishra said 'Telangana has a rare second chance. The first, cautious step was a blanket ban; the wiser next step is bold, inclusive policy. Citizens have already moved on—real-money gaming isn't vanishing, it's evolving. The ask isn't to rubber-stamp vice, but to stay ahead of its risks by providing clean avenues for people to play real money games of skill, instead of sports betting and casino. Lead with foresight, not fear, and turn a growing reality into a safer, transparent system that works for everyone.'
KEY FINDINGS
Illegal, but popular, making national security a casualty
96% of users know real money gaming in Telangana is banned, yet participate in sports betting and casino, with 87% playing daily. This has pushed domestic online platforms away from Telangana, paving way for more sinister activities, with a significant national security risk.
Who's Playing — a young, mostly male, broadly educated crowd
Nearly two-thirds of users are under 30 (45 % are 18-25 and 17 % are 26-30), and men outnumber women four to one (78 % vs 22 %), yet at 22% women participation is significant. Education is mixed: while 42 % stopped after school, 50% hold a college degree. Students (35 %) and salaried professionals and self-employed (52 %) dominate the occupation split, and the activity cuts across income levels even though 60 % come from households earning under ₹30 000 a month.
Getting In and Paying Up — offshore apps, easy work-arounds, anonymous wallets
Stake, colour-prediction apps, 1xBet, 1win and Teen Patti are the five most-tried platforms (each 47–70 %). Access is effortless for 89 % of players, with 69 % relying on VPNs to hide their real identity and another 20 % using Telegram links to dodge geo-blocks, and also because they are provided with VPN links in these Telegram groups. Almost everyone plays incognito: 94 % skip real-name KYC, and 86 % fund accounts via UPI transfers routed through friends or agents, indicating existence of mule accounts, far ahead of wallets (14 %), cash (8 %) and cards (6 %).
Usage Intensity — daily play, modest tickets for most
Engagement is extreme: 87 % log in every day. Seven in ten spend ₹500–₹2 000 a month and 73 % keep wagers below 1 % of household income, yet 12 % already risk 5 % or more, signalling an at-risk minority.
Wins, Losses and the 'I'm Ahead' Illusion
Losses are almost universal (99 %), but so are wins (99 %). Four-fifths have lost between ₹1 000 and ₹10 000, while 71 % have won in the same band; about one in five have crossed the ₹10 000 mark on winnings and 5 % on losses. The near balance feeds the belief—held by 83 %—that they are net positive overall.
Mindset & Motivations — chasing quick cash and social proof
A spectacular 97 % play for the chance of quick money, 61 % cite entertainment, and half mention social acceptance. Tales of huge payouts lure 87 % into their first game and remain the chief reason (86 %) that grim media stories of debt or suicide do not scare them off. Players also underestimate danger: 64 % think fewer than 1 % of gamblers get into serious trouble.
Consumer Sentiment — ban rejected, legalizing welcomed
Almost everyone (96 %) knows the pastime is illegal in Telangana, yet plays anyway; 94 % now want the state to legalise and regulate real-money gaming, while only 6 % back the current blanket ban.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Time of India
7 minutes ago
- Time of India
One killed in Russian strike on Ukraine's Kharkiv region
Representative image KYIV: A Russian drone attack on Ukraine's Kharkiv region killed one person and wounded another, its governor said Wednesday. The strikes hit a farm in the village of Borivske, resulting in warehouses and vehicles catching fire, Kharkiv Governor Oleg Synegubov wrote on Telegram. "Unfortunately, one person died and one was injured," he said. Russian shelling also targeted another farm in the village of Voloska Balakliya, igniting a warehouse but not causing casualties, he added. A Russian attack on the city of Kharkiv's, Novobavarsky district did not result in injuries, Mayor Igor Terekhov wrote on Telegram. Ukraine's military, meanwhile, said it hit an oil refinery in Russia's western Saratov region. It said the refinery is used by Moscow to "provide fuel and lubricants to the Russian military units" fighting against Ukraine. Russian authorities did not immediately confirm the attack. More than three years after Russia's February 2022 invasion of its neighbour, fighting continues to rage on the ground in Ukraine, with efforts to agree a truce at a standstill.
&w=3840&q=100)
First Post
8 minutes ago
- First Post
'Illegal migrant': Can US strip Mamdani's citizenship as Trump, Republicans ramp up attack?
The Trump administration is considering stripping Zohran Mamdani, the Democratic candidate for New York City mayor, of his US citizenship over accusations that he concealed ties to 'terrorism' during his naturalization process, as the President and Republicans ramp up their attacks. read more The Trump administration has suggested it might strip Zohran Mamdani, the Democratic candidate for New York City mayor, of his US citizenship as part of a crackdown on foreign-born citizens accused of certain crimes, according to a report from The Guardian. White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said the president is considering an investigation after Republican Congressman Andy Ogles called for Mamdani's citizenship to be revoked. Ogles claims Mamdani may have hidden his support for 'terrorism' during his naturalization process. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Mamdani, 33, was born in Uganda to Indian parents and became a US citizen in 2018. He has drawn national attention—and controversy—for his outspoken support for Palestinian rights. Trump threatens arrest Asked about Mamdani's call to stop undercover ICE agents from deporting immigrants, President Trump said on Tuesday, 'Well, then, we'll have to arrest him,' according to Axios. In response, Mamdani posted on social media, 'The President of the United States just threatened to have me arrested, stripped of my citizenship, put in a detention camp and deported. Not because I have broken any law but because I refuse to let ICE terrorize our city.' He added that Trump's threats are an attack on democracy and an attempt to silence those who speak out. My statement on Donald Trump's threat to deport me and his praise for Eric Adams, who the President "helped out" of legal accountability. — Zohran Kwame Mamdani (@ZohranKMamdani) July 1, 2025 Islamophobic attacks and political backdrop Mamdani has also faced Islamophobic attacks since winning last week's New York mayoral primary, defeating figures including former Governor Andrew Cuomo. The controversy comes as the Trump administration has directed government lawyers to prioritize efforts to denaturalize foreign-born citizens who committed certain crimes or lied during their citizenship process. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Ogles urged Attorney General Pam Bondi to investigate Mamdani, accusing him of possibly gaining citizenship through false statements or concealing support for terrorism. As evidence, he cited a rap song by Mamdani praising members of a group convicted of funding Hamas, as well as Mamdani's refusal to condemn the phrase 'globalize the intifada.' Ogles also posted on social media, calling Mamdani 'an antisemitic, socialist, communist who will destroy the great City of New York,' and saying he 'needs to be deported.' When asked about Ogles's claims, Leavitt said, 'I have not seen those claims, but surely if they are true, it's something that should be investigated.' The Justice Department confirmed it received Ogles's letter but declined further comment. Democrats push back Senator Chris Murphy, a Democrat from Connecticut, condemned the push to denaturalize Mamdani, calling it 'racist bullshit.' 'Trump will stop at nothing to protect billionaires and price gouging corporations, even racist bullshit like this,' Murphy wrote. 'Zohran won because he ran a campaign focused on putting power back in the hands of working people. And that's a threat to the Mar-a-Lago crowd.' STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Mamdani, who describes himself as a democratic socialist, has faced intense scrutiny of his social media posts and activism since his primary victory, where he promised left-leaning policies for New York City if elected. Trump's continued criticism Amid criticism from conservatives, Trump has labeled him 'a pure communist' and threatened to cut federal funds to New York if Mamdani becomes mayor and 'doesn't behave himself.' At a press event in Florida, Trump repeated his 'communist' accusation and hinted Mamdani might have obtained citizenship illegally. 'We don't need a communist in this country, but if we have one, I'm going to be watching over him very carefully,' Trump said. 'A lot of people are saying he's here illegally. We're going to look at everything.' Praise for Eric Adams Trump also praised current New York City Mayor Eric Adams, who is running for reelection as an independent after leaving the Democratic Party. Trump said Adams was 'a good person' and hinted he'd helped him, possibly referring to the Justice Department dropping a corruption case against Adams earlier this year. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD In his post, Mamdani said it was unsurprising that Trump praised Adams while threatening him.
&w=3840&q=100)
Business Standard
11 minutes ago
- Business Standard
LIVE news updates: PM Modi embarks on 5-nation visit, says India committed to Brics
Latest news updates LIVE: Prime Minister Narendra Modi reaffirmed India's dedication to BRICS as a crucial platform for cooperation among emerging economies as he embarked on a week-long tour of five nations, including Brazil, where he will attend the group's summit. "Together, we strive for a more peaceful, equitable, just, democratic and balanced multipolar world order," he said in his departure statement. His itinerary includes visits to Ghana, Trinidad and Tobago, Argentina, Brazil, and Namibia, with Ghana being his first stop on July 2–3 at the invitation of President John Dramani Mahama. Former South Carolina Lieutenant Governor Andre Bauer is launching a Republican primary bid against Senator Lindsey Graham, criticizing the senator as insufficiently conservative for the state. Bauer, a wealthy real estate developer and staunch Trump supporter, positions himself as a genuine "America First" conservative. His run sets up a midterm clash with the four-term senator, whose ties with Trump have fluctuated but who currently has Trump's backing for reelection. A lawyer representing Elon Musk's X told an Indian court that an excessive number of government officials — "every Tom, Dick, and Harry" — had been empowered to issue content takedown orders, prompting a sharp response from the government's counsel. X has frequently clashed with Prime Minister Modi's administration over takedown demands. The statement came during a hearing on the platform's legal challenge to a government website it claims operates as a 'censorship portal.' Indian authorities maintain the site is only intended to facilitate compliance notifications for online platforms. Connect with us on WhatsApp
