Best Basketball Betting Sites

The popularity of basketball in India

As evidence of how basketball is finding new fans all the time, the NBA’s 2022-23 season was the most watched in India, with over 100 million unique viewers on various media channels.

Schools and colleges are some of the leading reasons for its popularity. According to the Olympics website, T Ducan Patton introduced the sport to the country in the 1890s. The first national basketball championships happened in 1934 in New Delhi.

Further, as fans who bet on basketball should know, India has dipped its toe into the international NBA setting thanks to Princepal Singh. He was the first Indian player to help his team win the Summer League. The women’s team has also shown its mettle at the top leagues in the Asian championships.

Most popular basketball tournaments among Indian bettors

There are various tournaments and leagues that Indian bettors love wagering on at the best betting sites for basketball. We look at three of the most popular ones among fans in India.

Federation Cup Basketball Championship

This annual championship is one of India’s most prestigious tournaments. Nine teams/clubs compete for the honour of winning the championship title.

Further, the winners of this championship not only receive honours when holding the title and represent the nation in the Asian Championship Cup.

National Basketball Association (NBA)

While the NBA is an American institution, it’s gaining popularity among Indian punters. It’s also one of the leagues almost always available on bookies. Its players also have many public statistics, often making it easier to bet on using the best basketball bookmakers.

Indian College Basketball League (ICBL)

The ICBL, sometimes called the University League, is another popular tournament for punters to wager on. This league focuses on developing the skills of young talents and so often helps scouts (and punters!) find exceptional players.

Three most popular basketball betting markets

Various betting markets are available, but we only look at the three most popular ones available on basketball online betting sites.

Moneyline

As one of the easiest bets to place, it’s no wonder that moneyline wagers are popular. Punters in India simply have to bet on the team they think will win.

Point Spread/Handicap

This betting market is ideal when the two teams have a clear skill gap. If one team has an overwhelming advantage, this bet gives handicap points to the other. Basically, to win the bet, the favourites must beat the underdogs with a specific points lead.

Over/Under

This sport is high-scoring, so over/under bets are common. The bookie will determine what they believe the game’s final score will be. You must bet whether you believe the score will be over or under that amount.

What to look for in a bookmaker for online betting on basketball

It’s important to carefully choose the site you play at. Not all sites are equally good, but our reliable guidelines won’t steer you wrong. You shouldn’t just consider how it looks but also the following criteria:

Top 3 recommended basketball bookmakers

We consider various criteria when choosing the best betting site for basketball. Below, we have identified three sites that stand out with exceptional offers for Indian punters.

Megapari 

Megapari offers a comprehensive platform covering various leagues and tournaments. Options range from the Premier League to the IPBL (Independent Professional Basketball League).

There’s also a sports cashback offer, support in Hindi, and a 100% welcome bonus of up to ₹20,000. Players must deposit at least ₹88 and wager the bonus amount 5x in accumulator bets. These bets must contain at least three wagers of 1.40 or higher odds.

888starz 

One of our top choices for the best basketball betting site is 888starz. This platform boasts an impressive betting market range. In addition to the 100% signup bonus of up to ₹9,070, there’s also the free Bet Basket promotion.

Punters who wager at least ₹452 on basketball’s events of 1.5 or higher odds earn tickets for the prize draw. In this prize draw, punters can win crypto funds, free bets between €50 and €500, a PS5 and NBA game, or an iPhone 15.

Mostbet

Mostbet operates in 93 countries, including India. It can operate in five Indian languages, including English and Hindi. Punters can wager in INR and choose between two possible welcome offers.

If you deposit ₹300, you get a 125% sports bonus on your first deposit. If you deposit ₹1,000, you get a 125% bonus and 250 free spins. Depending on your deposit amount, you can also take advantage of specialised offers for your second, third, fourth, and fifth deposits.

Mobile basketball betting in India

Mobile wagering is becoming more popular, and these days all of the best bookies for basketball offer mobile betting apps. These apps provide instant access to the latest odds and let you enjoy all the benefits of the desktop website.

Niche basketball betting markets worth trying

When it comes to betting sites for basketball, you can try out various niche bets. Many are available in some form for other sports, while others are unique to this sport. Below, we check out three popular ones.

Prop bets

Prop bets are ideal for this sport’s fast-paced nature. Watch the game’s live stream and place prop bets on specific scenarios as it progresses. These wagers include placing a stake on the first player to score or their total assists.

Quarter/Halftime

Instead of wagering on the game’s overall outcome, you can bet on the quarter and halftime outcomes. These bets let you wager on who you think will be in the lead at quarter or halftime.

Margin

Since basketball is a high-scoring sport, betting on the winning margin is popular. This bet involves wagering on the margin you believe a team will win or lose.

Where to watch basketball in India

Viacom18 dominates the sports broadcasting scene in India. Some of the best basketball bookies offer live streams of matches, but these aren’t reliable. Some tournaments, like the FIBA 3x3 Asia Cup 2024, won’t stream on any Indian channels but will have a live stream on the official Olympics site.

The Basketball Federation of India (FIBA) broadcasts other local tournaments on YouTube. Otherwise, check out NBA and other matches using these two channels from Viacom18:

• Sports18
• JioCinema
• NBA League Pass via the NBA App