Law Commission recommends legalization of betting and gambling in sports

The Indian Law Commission faces many tough challenges on a regular basis and it’s indeed a little difficult for them to frame rules and regulations to meet the needs of the modern-age society. Many years ago, they took a decision on betting and gambling, which they now feel should be reversed as there is no impact of it in the current scenario.

As many know betting or gambling in India is an illegal act according to the law. No one in this country is oblivious to a fact that betting is being carried out illegally almost every day and not many managed to prevent that from happening. But things might change in the times to come as the Law Commission reckons ban has been counter-productive rather than bringing an end to this activity.

The commission filed a report which suggested various reforms in the betting and gambling acts. The recommended changes, according to the commission, can bring in a lot of revenue in the form of tax and can help the government curb the menace of black-money generation through illegal gambling.

The framework was designed by a panel headed by Justice BS Chauhan and the Supreme Court has already ordered to study the possibility. The panel that designed the framework had interacted with various students, experts and cricket fanatics before coming to an honest and logical conclusion.

A step to nullify the negative aspects of the sport

The only sport in our country where betting is legal is Horse Riding. But if the latest recommendations can come into play, betting can become a great source of income as it will end up generating a lot of money for the government as well in the form of taxes.

The panel has suggested several changes in the current law and one of the major items is to amend the laws regulating forex and India’s FDI policy to allow investments in the casino and online gaming industry. It also recommended linking Aadhar and PAN cards of the participants to bring in more transparency.

Justice BS Chauhan stated that with time law changes and thus the need is for regulation rather than blanket prohibition, as reported by CNN News 18. 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 suggested changes will be reviewed soon and a bill will be passed accordingly, given they feel the changes can bring in a reform. Many countries like the USA and UK have legalized betting a long time ago and the changing trends might bring a massive change in this cricket-frenzy country.

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