Online betting is booming in Pakistan right now. Bettors are switching en masse from old ways of entertainment to digital bookies pakistan. Almost everyone has a smartphone now, and the internet is becoming faster and cheaper. As a result, millions of Pakistanis have got access to betting sites. However, the laws here are complicated. So now we will discuss all the trends, risks and potential.
From Cricket to Cyber Sports: What Pakistanis are Betting On
Cricket in Pakistan is sacred. Everyone from students to businessmen bet on the national team’s matches. The Pakistan Premier League attracts huge amounts of bets. Bettors know the players, follow the statistics, understand the tactics. As a result, cricket betting brings bookmakers the main profit.
But youngsters are no longer confined to cricket alone. Football is gaining momentum, especially the European championships. It’s popular here:
- English Premier League;
- Champions League;
- World Championships.
They love tennis too, especially grand slam tournaments. But cybersport is a completely new phenomenon. No one has ever heard of it before, but now CS2 or Dota 2 tournaments are bet on the same level as regular sports.
Pakistanis prefer live betting. The match is on, the odds are changing, the adrenaline is running high. You can bet on:
- the next goal;
- number of corners;
- who gets the yellow card.
Bookmakers realise this and are developing live lines. Some platforms offer hundreds of betting options for a single match. However, it is easy for beginners to get confused.
Laws? What Laws?
This is where the fun part comes in. Officially gambling is illegal in Pakistan, but online betting is in a grey area. There is no clear law, so there are many sites. They get licences in Malta or Curacao. This, by the way, is a reason to trust them. The main thing is to check that the licence is genuine. First you go to the site and look at everything there. The licence is usually indicated at the bottom of the home page. Then you just copy the number and go to the regulator’s website. If the licence is up-to-date and real, you can safely register and place a bet.
The government sometimes tries to block popular websites. Internet providers receive instructions and add addresses to the blacklist. But this does little good. Any schoolboy knows what a VPN is. You download an application, choose another country, and all the blocking is bypassed in a couple of clicks. Bookmakers also understand this and even advise which VPNs to use.
The Smartphone Solves Everything
It used to be that betting was done via computers. Now 90 per cent of punters use their phones. This is logical – you always have your smartphone with you. The match starts, you take out your phone and place a bet. Convenient and quick. Bookmakers quickly realised this and switched to mobile applications.
The problem is that not everyone has expensive iPhones. Most people buy cheap androids. And there’s not much memory and the processor is weak. That’s why they make apps as light as possible. They remove unnecessary functions, simplify the design, and optimise the code. The main thing is that the bet goes quickly, even if the internet is slow.
Payments are a separate topic. Not everyone has a bank card, and banks often block transfers to gambling sites. Therefore, bookmakers offer alternatives. E-wallets such as:
- Skrill or Neteller;
- cryptocurrencies;
- prepaid cards.
Some PK bookies even accept payments via mobile operators. Refill your phone account, transfer money to your game account. Simple and anonymous.
Cash Flow and Betting Security
Experts say the potential of the Pakistani market is high. Billions of dollars! 220 million population, with half under 30. The Internet is becoming more and more accessible. The figures are impressive. Foreign companies are already investing in localising services. They are translating interfaces into Urdu, adding local payment methods, studying players’ preferences.
Local entrepreneurs are not slumbering either. They are creating their own platforms with cultural sensitivity. For example, they add special bonuses during religious holidays or do promotions in honour of national team victories. They understand the local mentality better than foreigners.
But there is a dark side. Gambling addiction is a real problem. Bettors borrow money for betting, sell their property and get into debt. Especially young men from poor families suffer. Win once – it seems that luck is on your side. You lose, you have to win it back. It’s a classic vicious circle. So you have to be careful with your bets and take responsibility.
Some bookmakers introduce control tools. You can set a deposit limit, block your account for a certain time, get notifications about spending. But this only works if the player himself wants it. And addicted bettors rarely recognise the problem.
What’s Next?
Pakistan’s online betting market will continue to grow. That much is obvious. There are too many factors working in its favour. The young population, the development of technology, the popularity of sports. The only question is how the state will regulate it.
Some form of legalisation is likely to emerge in a few years time. Probably a limited one. Taxes, jobs, control of the industry are all good reasons for legalisation.
Players should be careful. Betting is a pastime, not a way to make money. Most lose in the long run, it’s maths. Only play with money you can afford to lose. Even analysing it won’t always lead to a win with a guarantee. So give yourself credit and choose a safe way to play that will profit on a long term basis. Choose only reliable bookies Pakistan online and good luck!
