India News

It is sports, you bet! Law Commission recommends legalising betting in sports

Published

8 years ago

July 6, 2018

It is sports, you bet! Law Commission recommends legalising betting in sports

It’s a piece of news that will be welcomed by many whose interest in sports lies in the money to be made, rather than the side that wins or loses: The Law Commission of India has recommended legalisation of sports betting and gambling activities and regulating them, stating that a complete ban has proved to be “counter-productive” and has only resulted in a hike of “black money generation and circulation”.

It said that since it is impossible to stop illegal gambling, the only viable option left is to “regulate” gambling in sports and it be allowed as regulated activity taxable under the direct and indirect tax regimes and used as a source for attracting foreign direct investment (FDI).

The commission recommended “cashless” gambling in sports and taxing the earnings as a means to increase revenue and deal a blow to unlawful gambling. The money generated can be used for public welfare activities, it said.

The commission’s report, “Legal Framework: Gambling and Sports Betting including Cricket in India”, recommends a number of changes in the law for regulating betting and generating tax revenues from it.

The Law Commission report was prepared by a panel headed by Chairman Justice BS Chauhan after the Supreme Court ordered it to study the possibility while hearing a case between the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) and Cricket Association of Bihar & Ors.

The commission had taken opinion from students, experts and public in general before coming to the conclusion that regulation was needed more than prohibition. It has also proposed that the income earned from these activities should be made taxable. If the proposal goes through, it could lead to a windfall for the government.

“In the light of the fact that the existing black-market operations relating to these activities are a major source of influx of black money in the economy, regulation rather than complete prohibition the logical step to be taken,” reads the report.

While pondering over the question, the commission looked at examples from Mahabharata as well.

“The argument that had gambling been regulated in the Mahabharata period, Yudhishtir could not have put his brothers and wife as stakes, perhaps Mahabharata could not have been there, is full of substance,” noted the commission.

At present, betting is legal only on horse racing, and it is taxed at 28 per cent under GST. The commission recommended that like the exemption for horse-racing as a game of skill, “other skill-centric games may also be exempted from the blanket prohibition on gambling”.

The commission has also recommended amending the laws regulating forex and India’s FDI policy to allow investments in the casino and online gaming industry.

It also proposed strong regulations and laid down several checks and balances to avoid misuse if betting is indeed legalised.

It has stated in its report that such activities should be offered only by operators from India possessing valid licences granted by a game licensing authority.

The commission recommended a classification of ‘proper gambling’ and ‘small gambling.’ ‘Proper gambling’ would be for the rich who play for high stakes, while ‘small gambling’ would be for the low income groups, it said.

Restrictions on amount should be prescribed while using electronic money facilities like credit cards, debit cards, and net banking. Gambling websites should not solicit pornography, it said.

For those who would participate in gambling and betting, there should be a cap on the number of transactions that they can indulge in monthly/yearly etc.

It has also proposed that all betting and gambling activities should be linked to the operator’s and participant or player’s Aadhaar Card/PAN Card, to ensure “enhanced transparency and state supervision”.

Also, transactions need to be cashless, “with penal provisions for cash transactions”, it said.

Those who receive “subsidies or do not pay taxes” have been excluded from participating in such betting and gambling.

Making betting and gambling legal has been debated for long. Estimates about the size of the gambling market in India vary, with a 2010 KPMG report suggesting that it could be $60 billion, but more recent studies peg the value to be much higher, said a News18 report.

According to Doha-based International Centre for Sport Security, the illegal betting market in India is worth $150 billion, or roughly Rs 9.6 lakh crore, the News18 report said. Most of it is via local bookmakers and unregulated offshore websites.

The government could earn tens of thousands of crores as tax revenue by legalising sports betting. Additionally, if online gambling and casinos are also permitted, the estimated tax revenue would be much higher.

In addition to revenue generation, a legal and regulated gambling sector will also help in creating large-scale employment opportunities.

Parliament may also enact a model law for regulating gambling that may be adopted by the states or in the alternative, Parliament may legislate in exercise of its powers under Articles 249 or 252 of the Constitution. In case legislation is made under Article 252, states other than the consenting states will be free to adopt the same, it states.

The commission said it feels that allowing FDI in the industry would bring substantial amounts of investment to those states that decide to permit casinos, propelling the growth of the tourism and hospitality industries, while also enabling such states to generate higher revenue and employment opportunities.

Justice BS Chauhan stated that with time law changes and thus the need is for regulation rather than blanket prohibition. Quoting Justice DP Madon, the commission stated “as the society changes, the law cannot remain immutable” and that “the law exists to serve the needs of the society which is governed by it.”

The primary law on which states have framed their gambling legislation is an archaic, British-era law called the Public Gambling Act, 1867. Ironically, while India follows a British-era prohibitionist statute, the UK legalised and regulated various forms of gambling and betting many decades ago.

The commission report referred to epic Mahabharat to justify its call for regulation of gambling.

“There is merit in the argument that, had gambling been regulated at the time of the Mahabharat, Yudhishtir could not have staked his wife and brothers in a gamble,” the report signed by Justice Chauhan and five other commission members observed.

The commission said that even as Indian society had traditionally frowned upon gambling, the argument made for ‘revenue over morality’ lacked merit. It reasoned that online gambling and betting have acquired a global presence.

“Such activities, if properly regulated would ensure transparency in the market, as also strike at the underworld’s control over the illegal and unregulated gambling industry. Additionally, revenue so generated by regulating and taxing betting and gambling may become a good source of revenue, which in turn, could be used for public welfare,” the commission report said.

Related Topics:BCCI FDI Law Commission Online Sports Betting

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GRAP stage-III measures enforced across Delhi as air quality worsens

Delhi’s air quality has deteriorated further, prompting authorities to enforce GRAP stage-III measures across the NCR amid rising AQI levels.

Published

47 mins ago

January 16, 2026

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Delhi’s air quality has continued to deteriorate, prompting authorities to enforce Stage-III measures under the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) across the National Capital Region with immediate effect.

The Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) said the Air Quality Index (AQI) of the national capital showed a worsening trend over the past 24 hours. The AQI stood at 343 on January 15 at 4 pm and rose further to 354 by 4 pm on Thursday, raising concerns that pollution levels could soon enter the ‘Severe’ category.

Weather agencies have forecast unfavourable atmospheric conditions in the coming days, including low wind speeds, a stable atmosphere and poor dispersion of pollutants. Officials said these conditions could push Delhi’s average AQI beyond 400, which falls under the ‘Severe’ air quality bracket.

Stage-III restrictions come into force across NCR

In view of the rising pollution levels and the forecast of further deterioration, the CAQM sub-committee on GRAP decided to invoke all measures under Stage-III. These measures correspond to ‘Severe’ air quality levels and have been implemented as a precautionary step to prevent further decline.

The Stage-III actions will be enforced in addition to the restrictions already in place under Stages I and II of GRAP, which remain operational across the NCR. Officials said the combined measures aim to tighten controls on pollution sources, enhance monitoring and ensure stricter enforcement to curb emissions.

CAQM has directed pollution control boards and concerned agencies in the NCR to intensify preventive and regulatory steps. Authorities have been asked to ensure strict compliance with GRAP norms and take prompt action against violations.

Officials said air quality levels will be closely monitored, and further decisions will be taken based on real-time data and evolving weather conditions. Citizens have been urged to cooperate with advisories and follow measures aimed at reducing pollution levels.

India News

PM Modi to visit Bengal and Assam, launch Vande Bharat sleeper train and key projects

PM Modi will visit West Bengal and Assam on January 17 and 18 to launch India’s first Vande Bharat sleeper train and inaugurate major infrastructure projects.

Published

58 mins ago

January 16, 2026

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Prime Minister Narendra Modi will visit West Bengal and Assam on January 17 and 18, where he will flag off India’s first Vande Bharat sleeper train and inaugurate, dedicate and lay the foundation stone for a series of infrastructure and development projects across the two poll-bound states.

Vande Bharat sleeper train to be flagged off from Malda

On Saturday, the prime minister will visit Malda in West Bengal around 12.45 pm and flag off the country’s first Vande Bharat sleeper train connecting Howrah with Guwahati (Kamakhya) from the Malda town railway station.

Later in the day, around 1.45 pm, he will address a public programme in Malda where he will dedicate to the nation and lay the foundation stone of multiple rail and road projects worth more than Rs 3,250 crore.

Development projects in Hooghly district

On January 18, around 3 pm, the prime minister will visit Singur in Hooghly district, where he will inaugurate, lay the foundation stone and flag off various development projects worth around Rs 830 crore.

During the visit, Modi will also virtually flag off four new Amrit Bharat Express trains connecting New Jalpaiguri with Nagercoil and Tiruchirappalli, and Alipurduar with Bengaluru and Mumbai (Panvel). These services are aimed at improving affordable long-distance rail connectivity and strengthening inter-state economic and social linkages.

New train services and highway projects in north Bengal

The prime minister will flag off two new train services with LHB coaches — Radhikapur–SMVT Bengaluru Express and Balurghat–SMVT Bengaluru Express — providing direct connectivity from north Bengal to major IT and employment hubs.

He will also lay the foundation stone for the rehabilitation and four-laning of the Dhupguri–Falakata section of National Highway-31D, a project expected to significantly improve road connectivity and the movement of goods and passengers in the region.

Additionally, Modi will lay the foundation stone of four major railway projects in West Bengal, including a new rail line between Balurghat and Hili, next-generation freight maintenance facilities at New Jalpaiguri, upgradation of the Siliguri loco shed and modernisation of Vande Bharat train maintenance facilities in Jalpaiguri district.

He will also dedicate the electrification of the New Coochbehar–Bamanhat and New Coochbehar–Boxirhat rail sections, enabling cleaner and more energy-efficient train operations.

Cultural programme and Kaziranga corridor in Assam

On January 17, around 6 pm, the prime minister will attend the Bodo cultural programme “Bagurumba Dwhou 2026” at Sarusajai Stadium in Guwahati. More than 10,000 artists from across Assam are expected to perform the traditional Bagurumba dance in a single synchronised presentation.

On January 18, around 11 am, Modi will perform the bhoomi pujan for the Kaziranga elevated corridor project, valued at over Rs 6,950 crore, at Kaliabor in Nagaon district. The 86-km project includes a 35-km elevated wildlife corridor passing through Kaziranga National Park, along with bypasses and highway widening works aimed at improving connectivity while protecting biodiversity.

During the Assam programme, the prime minister will also flag off two new Amrit Bharat Express trains — Guwahati (Kamakhya)–Rohtak and Dibrugarh–Lucknow (Gomti Nagar) — strengthening rail connectivity between the northeast and northern India.

India News

NDA’s track record strikes chord as PM Modi hails Maharashtra civic polls win

Prime Minister Narendra Modi hailed Maharashtra voters after the BJP-led NDA registered a historic victory in the BMC elections, ending decades of Shiv Sena dominance.

Published

1 hour ago

January 16, 2026

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Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday thanked the people of Maharashtra after the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance registered a landmark victory in the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation elections, marking the first time the party has emerged on top in the country’s richest civic body.

In a post on X, the prime minister said the people of the state had endorsed the NDA’s agenda of governance and development. He said the results of municipal corporation elections across Maharashtra showed that the alliance’s bond with voters had further strengthened.

According to PM Modi, the NDA’s track record and vision for development had “struck a chord” with the electorate. He described the verdict as a mandate to accelerate progress while celebrating Maharashtra’s cultural legacy.

BJP-Shiv Sena alliance dominates BMC

As counting continued, trends showed the BJP leading in 90 of the 227 wards in Mumbai, while the Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena was ahead in 28 wards. The Ajit Pawar-led NCP faction, which contested separately, was leading in only three wards.

On the opposition side, the Shiv Sena (UBT) and Maharashtra Navnirman Sena were ahead in 57 and nine wards respectively. The Congress, which contested in alliance with the Vanchit Bahujan Aghadi, was leading in 15 wards, while others were ahead in eight.

The outcome effectively ends the Shiv Sena (UBT)’s decades-long control over the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation, which had been the party’s main power centre since its formation.

In the seat distribution, the BJP contested 137 wards and the Shinde-led Shiv Sena 90. The Ajit Pawar faction of the NCP fielded candidates in 94 wards. On the opposition side, Shiv Sena (UBT) contested 163 seats, the MNS 52, the Congress 143, and the Vanchit Bahujan Aghadi 46.

Urban verdict weakens Pawar influence

The results in Pune and Pimpri-Chinchwad also sent a strong political message, indicating that the Pawar brand no longer guarantees success in key urban centres. Despite tactical coordination between the two NCP factions led by Sharad Pawar and Ajit Pawar, voters did not consolidate behind them.

In the Pune Municipal Corporation, the BJP emerged with a clear upper hand, either winning or leading in a significant number of wards. The NCP factions failed to convert their traditional influence into broader citywide support.

Thackeray retains Marathi Manoos connect but loses power base

Uddhav Thackeray appears to have retained a section of the Marathi Manoos vote in Mumbai, even as the Shinde-led Shiv Sena made inroads. While the Shiv Sena (UBT) managed a respectable showing in its traditional strongholds, the loss of control over the BMC is seen as a major setback.

Control of the civic body had long been central to the party’s political identity and a key factor in its alliances.

Devendra Fadnavis emerges as key strategist

Much of the credit for the BJP’s sweeping civic success is being attributed to Devendra Fadnavis. Under his leadership, the Mahayuti alliance has carried forward its assembly election momentum into municipal politics.

The results are being seen as reinforcing Fadnavis’s political standing, demonstrating that even combined opposition forces could not halt the BJP’s rise. The verdict has also challenged the long-held claim of the Thackeray family over Marathi votes in Mumbai.