Question : Regulations for Betting in Sports

(a) whether there has been demands from various quarters to allow online betting and introduce regulations/legislations for legalising betting in various sports including cricket in the country;

(b) if so, the details and the present status thereof;

(c) whether the All India Gaming Federation has submitted a white paper to the Law Commission in this regard and if so, the details and the present status thereof;

(d) whether the Government proposes to sign an agreement with United Kingdom in this regard and if so, the details and the present status thereof; and

e) whether the Government has made any assessment of possible social ramifications of legalising such betting and if so, the details and the outcome thereof?

THE MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE)
FOR YOUTH AFFAIRS AND SPORTS
(SHRI VIJAY GOEL)

(a) to (c): Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI) launched the debate on regulating online sports betting and lottery in India.
Further, Law Commission of India has undertaken the study on the subject titled “Issue of Legalising Betting and Gambling” in view of the Order/Judgement dated 18.07.2016 in Civil Appeal No. 4235/2014, Board of Control for Cricket v. Cricket Association of Bihar & Ors by the Supreme Court.

In view of the said decision of Supreme Court, the Law Commission invited views and suggestions by way of an Appeal dated 30 May, 2017 from all concerned, with regard to the possibility of legalizing betting and gambling, so as to arrive at a judicious opinion and make suitable suggestions and recommendations to the Government. The Commission has received number of responses from various stakeholders including that of All India Gaming Federation. The same are being examined by the Law Commission.

(d): Government in the Department of Sports is in dialogue with its counterpart in the United Kingdom for entering into a bilateral Memorandum of Understanding for promotion and development in sports, which inter alia includes sharing of experiences in various areas, including issues relating to sports integrity and funding of sports activities through lottery, online betting, etc.

(e): Government is aware that legalizing online betting can have large social ramifications. No study has been commissioned on the subject matter yet.
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