⚠️ bet365 is no longer available in India
Blocked since August 2023 — Indian users receive a 403 error
bet365 India 2026 — Why bet365 Left & Best Alternatives
bet365 exited India in August 2023 after the government imposed a 28% GST on the full value of online bets. This page explains what happened, whether you can still access bet365, and which licensed alternatives are best for Indian bettors in 2026.
Updated: April 2026 | This is an informational page — bet365 does not accept Indian players
What Happened to bet365 in India?
For years, bet365 was the most popular international betting site among Indian users. It offered a premium experience — live streaming of cricket matches, an intuitive bet builder, competitive odds, and reliable cash-out functionality. Indian bettors could deposit in INR, access a vast range of cricket and football markets, and enjoy what was widely regarded as the best online betting platform in the world.
That all changed in mid-2023 when the Indian government announced a sweeping reform to the taxation of online gaming and betting. In July 2023, the GST Council approved a 28% Goods and Services Tax on online gaming, to be levied on the full face value of bets placed — not on gross gaming revenue (GGR) or the operator's commission, but on every single rupee wagered by the player.
To put this in perspective: if you placed a ₹1,000 bet on a cricket match, ₹280 would go to GST before any potential return. This made the economics of operating in India fundamentally unviable for bet365 and other international operators. The tax structure effectively destroyed the margins that make online betting commercially feasible.
bet365 responded swiftly. In August 2023 — before the GST was even officially enforced in October — bet365 blocked access from Indian IP addresses. Users attempting to visit bet365.com from India began receiving 403 Forbidden errors or were silently redirected. The bet365 India experience, as millions of bettors knew it, was over.
💡 Key Point
bet365 was never technically "banned" by the Indian government. The company made a voluntary business decision to exit the Indian market because the 28% GST on full bet value made it commercially unviable. This is an important distinction — bet365 chose to leave rather than being forced out by regulation.
The impact was significant. bet365 had built a massive user base in India through word-of-mouth recommendations, affiliate marketing, and its reputation as the world's largest online bookmaker. Established in 2000 and licensed by the UK Gambling Commission, bet365 carried a level of trust and brand recognition that few competitors could match in the Indian market.
Since August 2023, bet365 has shown no indication of returning to India. The 28% GST remains in effect with no amendments, and the Indian government has shown no willingness to reduce the rate or shift to a GGR-based taxation model. For Indian bettors, the bet365 chapter appears to be closed for the foreseeable future.
Can I Still Use bet365 in India?
This is the most common question we receive from former bet365 users in India. The short answer is: technically yes, but we strongly advise against it.
Some users attempt to access bet365 using a VPN (Virtual Private Network) to mask their Indian IP address and appear to be connecting from another country. While this may work initially, it carries serious risks:
🚫 Risks of Using a VPN to Access bet365
- ✗ Account suspension: bet365 actively detects VPN usage. If flagged, your account will be suspended immediately with no warning.
- ✗ Funds withheld: If bet365 determines you've been accessing the platform from a restricted jurisdiction, they may withhold your entire balance — including deposits and winnings.
- ✗ Voided bets: Any bets placed while using a VPN can be retroactively voided, meaning you lose winnings even after they've been credited.
- ✗ No legal recourse: Since you violated the Terms and Conditions, you have no grounds for a complaint with any regulatory body.
- ✗ KYC complications: bet365 requires identity verification. Indian ID documents will immediately flag your location, even if you use a VPN.
Rather than risking your money with VPN workarounds, we recommend switching to a Curaçao-licensed operator that actively serves the Indian market. These alternatives accept INR, offer UPI and Paytm deposits, provide Hindi support, and have dedicated cricket betting markets — many of the features that made bet365 appealing in the first place.
Timeline: bet365's Exit from India
July 2023
Indian government announces 28% GST on online gaming and betting, applied to the full face value of bets rather than gross gaming revenue.
August 2023
bet365 blocks access from Indian IP addresses. Users attempting to visit bet365.com from India receive a 403 Forbidden error or are redirected away.
October 2023
The 28% GST on online gaming officially comes into force. Multiple international operators follow bet365 in restricting Indian access.
2024–2025
bet365 remains unavailable in India. No announcement of a return. Indian bettors migrate to Curaçao-licensed alternatives.
2026
bet365 continues to block Indian users. The 28% GST remains in effect with no changes. Offshore Curaçao-licensed operators remain the primary options for Indian bettors.
What Made bet365 Great for Indian Bettors
Understanding why bet365 was so popular helps explain what to look for in an alternative. Here are the features that made bet365 the go-to platform for Indian sports bettors:
Live Streaming
bet365 offered live streaming of cricket matches, football, tennis and more — directly within the app. You could watch and bet simultaneously without needing a separate streaming service.
Bet Builder
The bet builder allowed you to combine multiple selections from the same match into a single bet — for example, match winner + top batsman + total runs in one cricket accumulator.
Cash Out
bet365's cash-out feature let you settle bets early — locking in a profit or cutting losses before an event finished. Partial cash out was also available on many markets.
In-Play Betting
bet365 was renowned for its in-play betting interface. Fast-updating odds, ball-by-ball cricket markets, and a seamless live experience that few competitors could match.
Cricket Market Depth
From IPL and international tests to domestic leagues and T20 tournaments worldwide, bet365 offered the most comprehensive cricket coverage with hundreds of pre-match and in-play markets.
Mobile App Quality
The bet365 app for Android and iOS was consistently rated as one of the best in the industry — fast, reliable and feature-complete with all desktop functionality available on mobile.
Best bet365 Alternatives for India in 2026
Licensed operators that actively serve Indian bettors with INR deposits, cricket markets and mobile apps
Dafabet
8/10160% up to ₹16,000
Asia's leading betting brand with live streaming, betting exchange and dedicated cricket markets. The closest experience to what bet365 offered Indian players.
Parimatch
7.8/10150% up to ₹20,000
The largest welcome bonus available in India with support for 6 Indian languages. Built-in analytics centre for data-driven betting.
22Bet
7.5/10100% up to ₹11,000
Start betting with just ₹55. The widest range of Indian payment methods including UPI, Paytm, PhonePe and Google Pay.
Melbet
7.3/10100% up to ₹8,000
The widest variety of cricket betting markets including IPL, international test matches and domestic leagues. Fast 15-minute e-wallet withdrawals.
bet365 vs Alternatives — Feature Comparison
How the best Indian betting sites compare to what bet365 offered
| Feature | bet365 (Unavailable) | Dafabet | Parimatch | 22Bet | Melbet |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Available in India | ✗ No | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes |
| Welcome Bonus | N/A | 160% to ₹16,000 | 150% to ₹20,000 | 100% to ₹11,000 | 100% to ₹8,000 |
| Live Streaming | Was available | ✓ Yes | ✗ No | ✗ No | ✗ No |
| Betting Exchange | Was not available | ✓ Yes | ✗ No | ✗ No | ✗ No |
| Cash Out | Was available | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes |
| Bet Builder | Was available | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes |
| UPI Deposits | Was available | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes |
| Min Deposit | N/A | ₹200 | ₹300 | ₹55 | ₹100 |
| Hindi Support | Was available | ✓ Yes | ✓ 6 languages | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes |
| Licence | UKGC (not for India) | Curaçao | Curaçao | Curaçao | Curaçao |
| OTBB Rating | Not rated | 8.0/10 | 7.8/10 | 7.5/10 | 7.3/10 |
bet365 data reflects features that were available before the August 2023 exit. Alternative data is current as of April 2026.
Frequently Asked Questions — bet365 India
Is bet365 legal in India?
bet365 is no longer accessible from India. The operator voluntarily exited the Indian market in August 2023 following the announcement of a 28% GST on online betting. While bet365 holds licences in the UK (UKGC) and other jurisdictions, it has chosen not to operate in India. Attempting to access bet365 from an Indian IP address results in a 403 block.
Can I use a VPN to access bet365 from India?
While it is technically possible to access bet365 using a VPN, this is strongly discouraged. Using a VPN to bypass geographical restrictions violates bet365's Terms and Conditions. If bet365 detects VPN usage, they may freeze your account, void your bets, and withhold your funds. There is no legal recourse if this happens. We recommend using licensed alternatives that actively serve the Indian market instead.
When did bet365 leave India?
bet365 blocked access from India in August 2023. This followed the Indian government's announcement in July 2023 of a 28% GST on the full face value of online bets. The tax was officially enforced from October 2023. bet365 has not returned to the Indian market since.
What is the best alternative to bet365 in India?
Dafabet is the closest alternative to bet365 for Indian bettors. It offers live streaming, a betting exchange, cash out functionality, and dedicated cricket markets — features that made bet365 popular. Dafabet holds a Curaçao eGaming licence, accepts INR deposits via UPI and Paytm, and offers a 160% welcome bonus up to ₹16,000.
Will bet365 return to India?
There is no indication that bet365 plans to return to the Indian market. As long as the 28% GST on the full bet value remains in effect, it is commercially unviable for most major international operators to serve Indian customers directly. The tax structure would need to change significantly — for example, shifting to a GST on gross gaming revenue — before a return becomes likely.
What happened to my bet365 account and funds?
If you had an active bet365 account before the exit, you should have been given the opportunity to withdraw your funds. If you still have an outstanding balance, contact bet365 customer support directly through their international website (you may need to use a non-Indian connection). bet365 is a regulated operator and is obligated to return customer funds.
Ready to Find Your bet365 Replacement?
bet365 may be gone from India, but there are excellent alternatives. Dafabet offers the closest experience with live streaming, a betting exchange and dedicated cricket markets. All operators below are Curaçao-licensed and accept INR deposits.
About the Author
Mike Lovatt — Editor, OTBB India
Mike has covered the Indian online betting market since 2019, including bet365's presence and eventual exit. He independently reviews Curaçao-licensed operators for the Indian market, focusing on trust, feature quality and value for money. All ratings on OTBB India use a transparent, weighted methodology that is not influenced by operator payments.
⚠️ 18+ | Gambling can be addictive. Please bet responsibly. If you have a gambling problem, seek help. All operators featured on this site hold valid Curaçao eGaming licences. bet365 is not available in India and is included on this page for informational purposes only. Offer terms are subject to change — please verify with the operator.