CUTS Report: Parimatch More Popular Than Google and Wikipedia in India

^{Pictured: Pradeep Mehta, Founder and Secretary General of CUTS International}

Between April 2024 and March 2025, the 15 most visited offshore gambling platforms in India generated more than 5.4 billion visits via 40 mirror sites, according to a new report from CUTS (Consumer Unity & Trust Society) International, as cited by CIOL.

66% of this traffic (roughly 3.5 billion visits) came from direct URL access, meaning users typed in web addresses manually, used bookmarks, or clicked shared links. An additional 650 million visits were driven by search engines, suggesting that these illegal platforms are not only indexed but actively ranking high, thanks to aggressive SEO strategies and what the report calls leniency from search providers.

The total annual deposits by Indian users across these unlicensed platforms — including top names like 1xBet, Parimatch, Stake, Fairplay, and BateryBet — are estimated to exceed $100 billion.

Notably, Parimatch alone recorded more web traffic in March 2025 than Amazon, Wikipedia, Google, X (formerly Twitter), LinkedIn, and Reddit combined. The report attributes this level of reach to the platform’s accessibility and lack of basic compliance measures, such as Know Your Customer (KYC) protocols and age verification.

Some sites, including Parimatch, reportedly rely on local agents who accept cash wagers — creating a backdoor for underage users to place bets without digital payment restrictions.

According to Pradeep Mehta, founder and secretary general of CUTS, these operators are systematically exploiting India’s digital advertising and payments ecosystem, causing billions in capital outflows and raising significant concerns. “This presents a major national security threat and also exposes Indian consumers to serious harm,” Mehta stated.

As per recent developments, India’s Supreme Court has agreed to hear a petition seeking a nationwide ban on betting apps.