In the wake of the mushrooming betting industry, the Union sports ministry has decided to combat the malaise plaguing sports in general by deciding to review the after effects of legalised betting in India.
A similar decision was taken by the sports ministry in 2010 under the then-situ sports minister Ajay Maken. But, the result of the case study was discreetly brushed aside as the sports minister wanted to put all his efforts in the progress of the sport.
The ministry had actually done a complete study of the betting and gambling systems in the US and UK under Ajay Maken. The study mainly focused on three things- the Great Britain’s Gambling Act 2005, FICCI’s research which supports modifying sports betting in India and IOC’s views on the same topic.
A top source close to the sports ministry confirmed to The Times of India that the incumbent government had decided to commission a similar study that was held three years ago.
“We are still at a preliminary stage of examining the issue. It is one way of curbing illegal betting. Revenue too was a motivating factor (for the government to reconsider the decision to legalise betting in India),” he said.
However, the source said that apart from the financial benefit, the government will gauge the public mood in the country. He revealed that public opinion will be factored in, and will go ahead only if the public concurs with government’s decision.
“Earlier, there was an outcry against legalising online lotteries. We have to respect public sentiment. I don’t think it would be an easy decision to take,” the sources said.
FICCI had earlier cited a KPMG report as stating that illicit Indian betting market stood at Rs. 30,000 crores, with an estimated revenue of Rs. 12,000-19,000 crores.
The sports ministry’s literature analysed the betting climate in the UK, and studied its standing in socio-economic spheres. The study covered betting’s impact on children, and gambling in all forms- bingo and casinos, lottery, scratch cards and sports such as horse and greyhound racing.
The International Olympic Committee is believed to be supportive of the Indian government’s initiative.
IOC President Jacques Rogge said that the “an all-time high potential of corruption could encompass the athletes” to get lured to the temptation of riches.
“We encourage governments, wherever possible, to put in place specific criminal legislation dealing with match-fixing and cheating in sport,” Rogge had written earlier in a guest column for The Times of India.
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