Should You Trust 22Bet? We Review The Bookmaker’s Security, Account Protection and Any Scam Accusations
When it comes to online betting in India, most players prefer to wager with international operators. The question then arises: Is 22Bet safe? We take a closer look at its license, 2FA security, payment methods, scam accusations and what to do to secure your account.
What Is 22Bet and What Does It Offer
22Bet is a well-known international sportsbook that has started to attract a lot of interest from India. This is mainly due to the fact that the Indian people love betting on cricket, football and a lot of emerging esports games.
License and Legality
22Bet License: 22Bet is licensed by the Curacao eGaming authority, like many other offshore sportsbooks that offer betting services to Indian players. The license allows the bookmaker to provide services for sports betting, casino and live dealer games.
What does the license mean: The fact that 22Bet holds a license means that they are obligated to comply with all the rules that apply to fair gaming, data protection and financial stability. However, this license is not as reputable as a UK license, for example, in terms of the protection of the consumer.
Indian Betting Laws: In India, the Public Gambling Act, 1947 and various state-specific statutes prohibit most forms of gambling for Indian residents. However, the law is ambiguous about offshore platforms accessed via the internet. So, before you create an account, check the Indian laws on online betting.
In a nutshell: 22Bet is a licensed offshore bookmaker. However, 22Bet is not regulated by any Indian authority.
Technical Security Measures
Site Encryption
22Bet uses the industry standard HTTPS/SSL encryption (TLS 1.2 or newer versions) to encrypt any communication between your browser and the website. This means that all sensitive information you enter on the website, such as your password, email address or financial information, is not accessible to third parties.
KYC
Before you make a withdrawal, you must complete the standard verification process. This means you will have to provide Know-Your-Customer (KYC) documents which typically include proof of identity, proof of address and a selfie with you holding your ID document.
Two-Factor Authentication
Does 22Bet have 2FA? Yes, 22Bet provides time-based one time password (TOTP) two-factor authentication. This can be set up via authenticator apps like Google Authenticator or Authy.
How to Enable 2FA on 22Bet:
Log in to your account.
Go to “Settings -> Security -> Two-Factor Authentication”.
Scan the QR code using your TOTP app.
Enter the six digit code generated by your authenticator to confirm.
**Why is 2FA useful? If you use 2FA, even if someone has access to your password, they will not be able to login without the OTP code sent to your authenticator. So you remain protected against hackers.
Data Retention and Privacy
As per the privacy policy, the bookmaker stores your sensitive data on servers which are located in countries with robust data protection laws and which only retain data for as long as needed to maintain the services, including anti-fraud and legal obligations.
So what have we learned so far? We have taken a look at the license of the bookmaker, which is Curacao. Then, we checked the technical security measures such as encryption, KYC process and 2 factor authentication, and data retention.
When it comes to technical security, 22Bet seems like a safe bookmaker, as long as you follow good practices such as using a strong and unique password, using 2FA and keeping your information secure.
Stay tuned for part 2 of our article, where we will look at other factors that will help us determine the trustworthiness of the bookmaker. Indian Payment Options
While 22Bet is not among the legal betting sites in India, the platform offers several India-friendly payment options:
Payment method: 22Bet Offerings: Security
INR deposits: UPI, Paytm, Netbanking, Cryptocurrencies (with INR pairs): For UPI, transactions are encrypted and protected by your mobile PIN. Paytm uses tokenization for payments.
Credit cards: Visa, Mastercard (most times processed via international gateways): Your card details are tokenized. However, always check your statements to prevent any potential misuse.
E-wallets: Skrill, Neteller, EcoPayz: E-wallets are an extra layer of security between your bank account and the betting platform.
Cryptocurrencies: Bitcoin, Ethereum, and some altcoins: Cryptocurrencies offer pseudo-anonymous transactions. Make sure to secure your keys and use a trusted wallet.
What is recommended: Always use a payment method with 2-factor authentication enabled, such as UPI (with mobile PIN). Also, have a separate email account for online betting to keep your primary email safe.
Popular Betting Scams in India
Here are some of the betting scams commonly seen in India:
Scam Indicator: Phishing emails: How it looks: Generic greetings, urgent messages (e.g., “Your account will be suspended. Click here to save it!”), and links to domains that look similar (e.g., 22bet-secure.com): Why it’s a scam: Redirects you to a phishing page where you are asked to give away your login details.
Scam Indicator: Bonus scams: How it looks: “Instantly claim 10000 INR bonus without depositing a single rupee!” You usually receive such messages via WhatsApp or Telegram groups: Why it’s a scam: Lures you into revealing sensitive information by visiting a fake 22Bet website.
Scam Indicator: Direct bank transfer scams: How it looks: “As a gesture of goodwill, transfer money directly to our agent to speed up the withdrawal process.”: Why it’s a scam: Requests you to bypass the official payment channel, making you a potential victim of scamming.
Scam Indicator: Customer care number scams: How it looks: “A call centre executive from 22Bet is calling you to resolve your issue. Here’s the contact number: 9XXXXXX080.”: Why it’s a scam: Asks you to share your OTP (one-time password) or verification code over the phone.
Scam Indicator: Website domain scams: How it looks: Misspelt domain names (e.g., 22bet.in, 22-bet.com), or the absence of the “https://” lock sign before the domain name: Why it’s a scam: A suspicious website that may steal your login credentials.
Note: The betting market in India is rife with phishing scams, especially during cricket season. Before giving out sensitive information or clicking on any link, ensure you have verified the sender’s identity.
Safety Tips for Indian Bettors
Here are some practical tips for Indian players:
Use a strong and unique password Ensure the password is a mix of upper case, lower case letters, numbers, and special characters (minimum length 12). Never use the same password as your bank account or social media accounts.
Enable 2-factor authentication (2FA) Follow the steps mentioned in section 2.3 to enable 2-factor authentication. Save the backup codes in a secure location, like a password manager.
Check the website URL Always ensure the website address starts with “https://” and is followed by the official domain “22bet.com”. Also, check for the padlock sign before logging in.
Avoid using public Wi-Fi for betting Use either your mobile data or home network to conduct transactions. In case you are accessing the website via a public network, connect through a secure VPN.
Keep your devices updated Regularly update your device’s operating system and mobile apps to avoid vulnerabilities.
Have a separate email address for betting Keep your primary email address disconnected from betting activities to avoid any unnecessary risks. It separates betting-related emails from personal or professional emails, minimizing the risk of falling for phishing emails.
Keep an Eye on Your Accounts
Check login history, deposit and withdrawal history, and betting history once a week.
Inform 22Bet support about any suspicious activity.
Don’t Fall for “Too Good to be True” Schemes
Confirm promotions on the official 22Bet website or app.
Never share One-Time Password (OTP) or verification code with anyone claiming to be customer support.
Protect Your Phone
Use a phone PIN, fingerprint, or facial recognition.
Use a mobile antivirus app with an anti-phishing module.
Understand the Law of the Land
Find out if online sports betting is legal in your state.
If needed, consult a lawyer to clarify things for you.
Customer Support and Dispute Resolution
24/7 live chat support, email support, phone support
Typically responds in minutes (live chat), hours (email)
Primarily English support, but may be able to assist in Hindi or other Indian languages upon request
22Bet has a “Security” support option to report suspicious activity, freeze your account, or change passwords and passcodes
Tip: When reaching out to support, refrain from giving your password or OTP. Only give the required information like username, account details, etc.
Overall Assessment and Recommendations
Pros
Solid Technical Security: 2FA, SSL, and Know Your Customer (KYC) processes are industry-standard
Payment Options: 22Bet supports popular Indian payment gateways like UPI and Paytm, which have their security
Customer Support: Offers live chat support and 24/7 support
Cons
Offshore License: Curacao license doesn’t offer protection against frauds in the way European licenses do
Indian Legal Environment: Operating in an offshore jurisdiction under Indian law puts the burden of compliance on bettors
Phishing Attacks: Indians often receive phishing messages from attackers masquerading as 22Bet
Recommendation for Indian Players
Proceed with Caution: Use 22Bet with caution, turn on 2FA, and use secure payment methods if you plan to use the betting site
Keep an Eye on the Law: Keep tabs on new gambling laws passed in India
Use a layered approach: Use a combination of strong passwords, a secure phone, and safe browsing habits to protect yourself
Conclusion
22Bet offers a number of security features, including SSL, 2FA, and KYC to protect bettors. For Indians, the site offers popular local payment gateways and customer support. However, 22Bet operates under a Curacao license and India has a very ambiguous gambling law. That’s why bettors must remain cautious against phishing attacks. By activating 2FA, being wary of communications, and following other security tips mentioned in this post, Indian bettors can protect themselves from most threats. Your safety on 22Bet is your responsibility, as much as it is of the betting site.