Parimatch is currently banned and blocked in India due to regulatory non-compliance. The platform is classified as an unlicensed foreign betting application that offered cash-based betting services to Indian users without approval from Indian authorities.
Under Indian gambling and online betting laws, online betting and gambling platforms must operate under clear legal frameworks and local permissions, which Parimatch does not possess.
As a result, Indian users are advised to avoid offshore betting platforms and rely only on services that comply with local laws and regulations. To learn more about Parimatch, including its legality and penalties in India, read this blog.
What Is Parimatch & From Where Does It Operate
Parimatch is an international online betting and gambling platform that provides sports betting, live betting, and casino games. It was founded in 1994 in Ukraine and later grew into a multinational holding company operating across several regulated markets.
Its main global operations are regulated by the Curaçao Gaming Authority under Curaçao eGaming licenses, making it legal in multiple countries. In Cyprus, the company also holds a Category B betting license (No. B013) issued by the National Betting Authority, which allows fixed-odds betting services.
Parimatch is headquartered in Limassol, Cyprus. From there, it manages its online and offline betting operations and holds licenses in countries like Kazakhstan, Tajikistan, and Tanzania.
Why Parimatch Is Classified As Illegal In India
Under Indian law, platforms like Parimatch fall into the prohibited category of online gambling. The Public Gambling Act of 1867 bans most gambling activities across India, allowing only limited state-level exceptions such as lotteries and horse racing. Strengthening this framework, the 2025 Act (effective October 1) clearly separates skill-based games from chance-based money games, placing online betting platforms like Parimatch in the illegal category.
Any entity that offers, promotes, or facilitates online betting faces strict penalties, including up to 3 years’ imprisonment and fines of up to ₹1 crore. Financial transactions are blocked, and websites are banned under Section 69A of the IT Act.
Only platforms licensed by the National Online Gaming Commission can operate legally, which means Parimatch is illegal for Indian users.
Penalties For Using or Promoting Parimatch In India
Penalties under India’s Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Act, 2025, directly affect platforms like Parimatch, which fall under the category of banned online money games.
The person who offers or provides online betting services may be imprisoned for up to 3 years, fined up to ₹1 crore, or both. These offences are cognisable and non-bailable, meaning the offender can’t get bail under any circumstances. Advertising such platforms attracts penalties of up to 2 years in jail and a fine of ₹50 lakh. Facilitating payments or financial transactions for betting platforms carries penalties of up to 3 years’ imprisonment and a fine of up to ₹1 crore.
Risks of Using Unlicensed Betting Apps In India
A person who repeatedly uses these platforms can face stricter penalties, including 3–5 years’ imprisonment and fines up to ₹2 crore.
Authorities can penalize companies and responsible officers, impose civil fines, suspend registrations, and block platforms for non-compliance. Hence, Indian internet service providers have restricted access to the website and related apps, and financial institutions in India, to keep their people safe from the gambling habit and fraud.
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Conclusion: Parimatch Is Illegal and Unsafe In India
In simple terms, Parimatch is illegal in India. It does not have approval from Indian authorities and is treated as an unlicensed foreign betting platform. As a result, the website and apps are blocked, and payments linked to it are restricted.
Using or promoting such platforms can lead to legal trouble, financial loss, and data security risks. Indian users should avoid Parimatch and similar offshore betting sites. It is always safer to use only platforms that comply with Indian laws and have proper local licenses.
