The numbers are stark. Before PROGA came into force in October 2025, just 3.4% of Indian online gaming users spent more than two hours per day on offshore casino platforms. By early 2026, that figure had surged to 44% — a more than twelve-fold increase. The ban intended to protect Indian players from gambling harm has instead driven them in massive numbers to platforms with less protection and no accountability under Indian consumer law.

Why Offshore Platforms Are Winning

Without the compliance costs, tax obligations, and operational restrictions that Indian law would impose on a domestic operator, offshore platforms can offer bigger bonuses, faster withdrawals, higher deposit limits, and a wider variety of games including many that Indian regulators would never have permitted.

Platforms like 1Win, MegaPari, and PariPesa have all seen significant growth in Indian traffic following PROGA. These platforms accept INR deposits via UPI, Paytm, and cryptocurrency, and process withdrawals to Indian bank accounts within 24-48 hours.

The Responsible Gambling Gap

The shift to offshore platforms creates a serious responsible gambling gap. Indian domestic platforms were required to implement deposit limits, self-exclusion tools, and responsible gambling warnings. Offshore platforms have no such obligation toward Indian users. A player who develops a gambling problem on an offshore platform has no recourse to Indian regulatory bodies.

Most Popular Offshore Casinos for Indian Players

1Win has developed a particularly strong following among Indian sports bettors, offering comprehensive IPL and cricket betting markets. MegaPari offers over 5,000 games and excellent cryptocurrency payment support. PariPesa has positioned itself for Indian players with competitive welcome bonuses and fast UPI withdrawals. All three operate under international licences with established reputations for prompt payment.

Looking Ahead

The 44% figure is already being used as evidence in the Supreme Court constitutional challenge to PROGA. The gaming industry argues the law has demonstrably failed its stated objective, while the offshore casino boom in India shows no signs of slowing while legal uncertainty continues.