Illegal 1xBet Surges 53% in India as Gaming Law Fails to Curb Offshore Betting

• Offshore betting firm 1xBet saw a 53% surge in its casino user base in India from 2023-2025, despite the Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Act, 2025.
• Domestic real-money gaming (RMG) firms exited the market due to the new law, while 1xBet expanded offerings, launched large-scale promotions, and tailored products for Indian users.
• Celebrities like Robin Uthappa, Yuvraj Singh, Shikhar Dhawan, Suresh Raina, Sonu Sood, and Urvash Rautela are under ED/police scrutiny for promoting 1xBet.
• Experts criticize 1xBet for operating without a license, exposing users to fraud and legal risks, and diverting significant potential tax revenue.
• The Online Gaming Act's enforcement notification is pending, and illegal offshore platforms continue to flourish, exploiting regulatory loopholes.

Why It Matters: India's new Online Gaming Act inadvertently fueled illegal offshore betting, with 1xBet surging as domestic firms exit.