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The Rise of Cricket-Led Live Markets and Mobile Margins in Indian Sports Betting

16 October 2026

Live micro-markets for high-intensity cricket matches have become the new betting frontline in India, with mobile devices driving 78% of bets. While cricket dominates, secondary sports are gaining traction.

Indian Cricket, a Soaring Betting Market

The Indian sports betting market was valued at $7.5 billion in 2025 and is projected to reach $18 billion by 2034, according to figures published by IMARC Group. With a compound annual growth rate of 6.8% from 2026-2034, the market's expansion stems from growing smartphone penetration, affordable mobile data, cricket-fueled digital engagement, rising disposable incomes, and the shift toward live in-play betting.

Real-time micro-markets including tennis, kabaddi, and football are rapidly displacing pre-match-only wagering on Indian betting platforms, the IMARC report notes. Live betting is the fastest-growing format, producing 17% annual growth compared with 8% for pre-match wagers.

Football and kabaddi are emerging as secondary betting markets, with industry sources estimating the cricket-to-football wagering ratio at 20:1. Horse racing also competes at the margins.

Cricket remains the undisputed leader in online sports gambling, propelled by the Indian Premier League. Live betting accounted for 65% of total IPL wagers in 2026, with the average bets per user per game rising from 3.1 in 2024 to 4.5 in 2026, according to data from Bidify.

Top Clubs, Franchises Draw More Bets Than National Team

The Indian Premier League (IPL) attracts substantially more wagering activity than national team matches, live market data reveals. Industry reports indicate the IPL 2025 opening weekend saw a 37% year-over-year increase in betting volume and a 28% jump in new user registrations.

The IPL drives cricket betting, but other major leagues and tournaments also generate significant wagering. Yogeshwar Research data shows higher average bets per user for IPL matches compared to other tournaments.

"Fantasy gaming and live micro-betting tied to cricket are among the fastest-growing segments in India," said Saurabh Kumar, CEO of gaming platform AsiaPlay. "This creates major opportunities for in-play product development."

Fantasy gaming linked to IPL matches has doubled in popularity according to MediaNama. "There's tremendous demand for cricket fantasy," Kumar notes.

Live micro-markets are transforming the world's largest cricket betting market at unprecedented speed. Digital platforms dominate, but clubs also drive growth, particularly IPL franchises that rival the national team for attention and wagers.

Mobile usage fuels betting growth, revealing a gap in offerings for budget smartphones where app performance may lack the speed required for frequent live wagers. Kabaddi challenges football for the second-most-wagered sport. Bengaluru's betting dominance faces competition.

Sportsbooks offering robust live cricket markets, strong user retention, and fast mobile interfaces stand to benefit most from growth. However, mobile optimization for IPL-linked products may prove more crucial than football betting volumes, where regional operators show stronger penetration, observes Mayank Thakur, a Kapronasia analyst covering gaming and sports betting.

"This remains a young market with untapped potential—endless opportunities where gaming features integrate seamlessly. Cricket leads, but kabaddi's emerging secondary market shows there's ample room for expansion."