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Lessons for India: Key Takeaways from the UK’s Betting Regulation Model

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As India now lacks a well-thought-out regulatory system for controlling the online betting sector, its government is actively developing a new framework. The country still sticks to the outdated Public Gambling Act of 1867, which has no mention of the digital sector. In 2025, local punters can take advantage of offshore bookmakers that operate in the legal grey zone. Considering the example of other countries with balanced regulations is a viable solution for Indian authorities. The UK can become a role model in this context, as it has already legalized all forms of betting-related activities but boasts strict requirements for sportsbooks operating in the British jurisdiction.

A Central Regulatory Authority to Boost Credibility

In 2025, India doesn’t have a central body that regulates betting activities across the country. The industry is now fragmented, allowing each state government to control the sector and pass local laws. On the contrary, the UK has established the Gambling Commission, which holds the role of the major regulatory authority. It supervises all operators, sets rules, issues licenses, conducts audits, and enforces compliance.  This centralized model avoids the confusion of fragmented oversight. India can consider this example for its upcoming legislation. It allows the country to implement nationwide laws and establish systems that will monitor user activities on all bookmaker sites. Although implementing this model is costly and time-consuming, it’s projected to become an efficient replacement for outdated laws.

Licensing Requirements Confirming Operators’ Transparency

The lack of an in-country regulator means that India currently doesn’t issue licenses for online casinos and bookmakers. This makes the sector chaotic, considering that multiple international companies target local players, providing them with the chance to enjoy 1xBet online betting without any limitations. In the UK, operators must meet strict licensing criteria before entering the market, allowing authorities to ensure that all sportsbooks provide fair and trusted services. The main requirements for licensees include:
  1. Thorough customer verifications to prevent minors and vulnerable individuals from betting
  2. Advanced financial assessments to check whether the user can afford to place real-money wagers
  3. Anti-money-laundering protocols to reduce fraud in the iGaming sector
  4. Player fund protection through integrating innovative security technologies
  5. Fair game testing to provide equally transparent conditions for all members
  6. Regular audits for online bookmakersare  held by independent agencies
This process helps filter betting companies and eliminate unfair operators from the country’s market. As the UK has advanced regulations, India can consider a similar model that will help the government gain more control over the industry. Compliance with legal policies in the UK is mandatory for bookmakers; those breaking the rules are not permitted to provide their services to British customers.

Stronger Focus on Responsible Gambling Tools

The UKGC pays special attention to consumer protection. As all forms of gambling and betting are allowed in the state, many users are at risk of developing compulsive habits. Regulatory authorities are strengthening policies to ensure that players wager within their financial limits and never spend money intended for their essentials in online sportsbooks. Affordability checks are one of the latest updates in the country: all users joining digital casinos and betting sites are obliged to upload their financial statements. After that, the system automatically calculates optimal deposit amounts that users cannot exceed. In addition, the UK has become one of the first jurisdictions to integrate a nationwide self-exclusion program. GamStop covers all in-country platforms and often bans customers against their will. Although this system is often disappointing for punters, it spots the first signs of problem gambling habits and prevents the further development of the disorder. A similar system can be implemented in India, where compulsive gaming rates are high. The flexibility of the industry and the lack of control make it impossible for authorities to track all users’ actions at the moment. Thorough supervision over Indian members’ expenses can help eliminate this gap and assist the country in reducing the number of compulsive bettors.

Advertising and Marketing Control

Gambling ads aren’t prohibited in the UK, but this sector is also controlled by responsible authorities. Bookmakers face limits and are obliged to prevent targeting minors in their promotional campaigns. In India, betting and gambling activities are officially prohibited for users under 18, but there are no specific laws supervising related advertisements.  Bright banners from offshore betting platforms frequently appear on streaming platforms, sports events, and influencer profiles with minimal oversight. This raises concerns about exposure to minors and vulnerable groups. Implementing a British-like approach will help the state gain more control over online betting without the need to close platforms or impose penalties on operators.

Taxation Conditions

Generating taxes from the legal betting sector is among the main arguments encouraging governments to create new regulatory frameworks. As millions of users engage in this form of entertainment, operators have multi-billion-dollar profits and eventually pay their significant part to the state’s budget. This approach allows allocating more funds to developing infrastructure, investing in healthcare, and so on. Like the UK, India can design a balanced tax model, which will encourage online bookmakers to operate legally and comply with local requirements. Increasing the role of the domestic market instead of focusing on offshore operators is a viable model for India that the government may consider in the future.
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