With its massive and ever-growing population, India has the propensity and financial muscle to challenge the US in many industries. So, could it take on Las Vegas for the spoils of being the ultimate betting destination?

Best Indian Alternatives to Las Vegas

When looking for a direct Indian substitute for Las Vegas, the first choice has to be Goa. The Panaji city area is considered an affluent part of the state and the entire country. The ocean meets the land here, and gamblers meet the casinos in the same part of town, with more than a handful of people populating the Mandovi Riverfront. Over 700 kilometres north of Goa is the state of Daman — another place where casinos are evident in India. However, this market caters to a very different audience than downtown Goa. Daman’s gambling trade is mainly found in luxury hotels, as it attracts enterprising clients who prefer high roller stakes, as opposed to the glitz and neon lights of Goa’s appeal. The other key place for the Indian gambling trade is Sikkim, in the country’s northeast corner, close to the Chinese, Nepalese, and Bhutanese borders. Again, much like Daman’s scene, the establishments in Sikkim cater to luxury high-end gamblers, as they are in hotel resorts. While these locales, Goa, Daman, and Sikkim, offer casino and gambling experiences, they are the only states allowing casinos to operate, as they are outlawed in all the other states. If India is to truly resonate with Las Vegas or the US, it would need to legalise casino operations in different areas.

India’s Online Popularity Surge

With the information readily available on resources like Statista, it is easy to see that India is a market growing exponentially in both the online casino trade and online sports betting. The number of online casino users has reportedly tripled from 2017 to the present day, while the figures for online sports betting have doubled in the same period. This indicates that the Indian market is growing with momentum, and there’s money to be made in the industry!

Which Games Do Indian Gamers Enjoy?

In terms of casino games, Indian bettors enjoy many wagers across different markets, which combine a mix of global casino pastimes and India-originating games. Online Slot Machines Multiple sources have reported that slot machines are the most popular game type for Indian online casino users. Their simplicity and notable theming activities have been credited for their success, making them appealing to Indian audiences. Two of the most popular games are Pearls India and The Wonders of the Taj Mahal, which have prompted a lot of activity from the Indian market. If you’re eager to get in on the action without spending anything, you can try out free slot machines on Slotozilla site. Poker Remember the Indian casinos we spoke about earlier? They are often packed full of gamblers wanting to play poker. It is the most popular game in real-life venues and the second most popular online. Just like everywhere else, the most popular version is Texas Hold’em. Andar Bahar It might be a straightforward card game, but it is prevalent in India, so it is not uncommon for local gamblers to want to play it at online casinos. This simple game uses two sides of a table to differentiate between ‘Andar’ and ‘Bahar’ (outside and inside in Hindi). It is a chance-based game that appeals to inexperienced Indian bettors. Blackjack Indian online casino users are also keen on blackjack, pontoon, and 21— other simple games entrenched in casino culture.