Australia beat India by 9 runs in the T20 World Cup 2024 group match. The batting side was able to chase the target, given that India managed to hold the Aussies to a lower target on a decent pitch. However, what’s making the headline is the rise of offshore gambling firms in India, where cricket tournaments are more of a festival than just a series of events. Offshore gambling firms are making the best of this opportunity by enticing locals to register and engage with their platforms.
Firms like Fun88 and others have also intensified their efforts to attract more users. They are posing a straight contest against Real Money Gaming Platforms.
Offshore Firms’ Aggressive Marketing Tactics
Aggressive marketing tactics by offshore gambling firms have left RMG platforms shocked. Dream11 and WinZo are managing to keep up with the competition, as they have already established a strong foothold in the country. The question is how long they can maintain this momentum, considering that companies like Fun88 Casino are pushing the boundaries with aggressive promotions and offers.
For starters, Fun88 is targeting customers through social media influencers. The firm is offering them a payment in a range of ₹3 lakhs and ₹5 lakhs depending on the number of followers they have. Payouts are likely to go higher if influencers have more followers. All they have to do is make reels and/or publish images per the combined package they choose.
Another platform, Parimatch, is expanding its market reach through B4U Music by airing advertisements. Fun88 and Parimatch are offering several payment methods, like UPI and Google Pay, that make it convenient for users to process transactions.
RMG operators have spoken about the competition by calling out the platforms, highlighting that they were illegally operating in India. Additionally, it is imperative to maintain a vigilant stance rather than engaging with them or permitting them to operate unlawfully in India. Offshore firms have been called out by some of the trusted online casinos in India, like 22Bet Casino and Europa Casino.
Concerns from Indian Gaming Industry and Regulating Issues
An anonymous RMG operator reported a significant increase in advertisements, emphasizing that their marketing strategy heavily relies on reaching customers through influencers and providing payment methods such as crypto, Mastercard, Visa Card, and UPI. The operator has also stated that one should consider the harmful effects of gambling, particularly when platforms are operating illegally in a country such as India.
Bets were at their highest during the India vs. Pakistan match in the T20 Women’s World Cup. The majority of their budget is allocated to advertising and marketing, which is resulting in a large number of customers. Roland Landers, the Chief Executive Officer of All India Gaming Federation, said that they were practically exploiting Indian customers by using popular tournaments like the ongoing T20 World Cup. Roland further asserted that their promotions, disguised as legitimate, were illegal, as they offered no valid protection for customers.
Offshore platforms are known to evade taxes, thereby depriving the country of the taxes it should be receiving. Consumer risks pertain to losing one’s funds and sensitive information like name, payment details, and contact details like Email IDs.
An ideal recommendation is to do research before registering and engaging with any platform on the Internet. Tournaments like the T20 World Cup are a lucrative source for illegal platforms to exploit customers and leave them stranded later.
