Meghalaya’s teer betting went digital in Covid-19, doubling bookies’ income.

Before 2020, teer betting in Meghalaya relied on cash transactions at physical counters, limiting players to the state and exposing bookies to income loss when Covid‑19 lockdowns forced the archery grounds to close.

In response, the Khasi Hills Archery Sports Institute began livestreaming the game and allowed bookies to accept digital payments via apps such as Google Pay and Paytm, enabling bets from anywhere with a smartphone.

Online teer betting doubled bookies’ daily income, drew players from India, Bangladesh and Bhutan, and brought hundreds of millions of rupees yearly to the state.

Covid‑19 lockdowns caused a sharp drop in offline betting income, threatening the livelihood of thousands of teer bookies.

Widespread smartphone use and mobile internet made low‑cost livestreaming and digital payment platforms readily available.

Teer enjoys a legal exception as a cultural sport in Meghalaya, permitting the shift to online betting without violating national gambling bans.

The digital shift promised to expand the customer base beyond the state and increase daily earnings per counter.

Adopting simple digital tools like livestreaming and mobile payments can revive traditional businesses, expand their customer base and increase income even under strict regulations.

By 2023, teer counters reported that online betting had doubled their daily income, with bookies receiving thousands of bets per day from players across India, Bangladesh and Bhutan. The state’s teer‑related revenue grew to hundreds of millions of rupees annually, while challenges such as periodic internet shutdowns and the risk of fraudulent betting groups remained.