Offshore Gambling in India Surges to 82% Post-Ban

Offshore Gambling in India Surges Post-Ban

Context and Background

A recent study by CUTS International reveals a significant shift in gambling habits in India following the ban on online gambling. The research shows that usage of offshore gambling services has escalated from 68.3% to 82.0% among Indian users. This uptick reflects a broader trend where 24.7% of participants turned to offshore platforms post-ban, despite 11% abstaining from gambling altogether.

Spending and Usage Patterns

The study details a noteworthy increase in spending among offshore gamblers. Prior to the ban, most players spent between $12 and $60 monthly. However, post-ban, fewer individuals report minimum spending, while a marked rise in higher expenditures is observed. Nearly 26.2% of users now spend between $60 and $120 monthly, 7.2% spend between $120 and $300, and 6.3% exceed $300 in monthly gambling expenditures.

Frequency and Duration of Gambling

Offshore gambling isn't just seeing an increase in users, but also in activity levels. The proportion of daily users has surged from 3.4% to an astonishing 42.3%. Simultaneously, the frequency of users engaging 1-2 times per week has halved, dropping to 28.2%. The length of gaming sessions is also prolonging, with 44% of respondents now indulging in sessions longer than two hours, compared to a mere 3.4% previously. Additionally, those partaking in more than five sessions daily have rocketed from 3.4% to 38.3%.

Access Channels Post-Ban

The transformation in gambling behaviour is paralleled by shifts in how users access offshore platforms. Closed groups in messaging apps have become the primary channels, followed by direct website and app access. Although friend recommendations and social network links are less frequent, the presence of mirror sites and pre-saved QR codes has risen as auxiliary means.

This data from Gambla4's iGaming news channel underscores an enduring appetite for gambling, evoking critical questions about regulation and consumer protection in emerging markets like India.