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Context
Gambling is ubiquitous in Indian society: people bet on animal fights on streets, they make bets while playing cards and before cricket matches. As the Irish philosopher Edmund Burke correctly said, “Gambling is a principle inherent in human nature.”
Existing law on gambling
The primary law on which States have framed their gambling legislation is an archaic, British-era law called the Public Gambling Act, 1867
Why legalise gambling?
- Controlling balck money: Legalizing the activity will not only help curtail an important source of black money that is used by criminal syndicates, but also bring massive revenue to the state exchequer, which can be used for various constructive social schemes.
- Source of tax revenue: Size of the gambling market in India is about $60 billion so 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.
- Employment opportunities: Globally, wherever gambling is regulated, it has created a massive avenue for employment generation. For instance, the regulated gambling industry in the U.S. employs over 2.5 lakh people, while over 1 lakh individuals are employed in this sector in the U.K.
Concerns
- Morally not correct: Gambling is not morally correct in the Indian context.
- An addiction: It is responsible for addiction, loss of livelihoods and bankruptcy.
These concerns are unfounded.
- Gambling prevalent from ancient times: Gambling has been prevalent in society since ancient times and has been accepted as a form of recreation on various social occasions
- Gambling is still rampant in spite of being illegal: As regards the concerns about gambling and betting leading to addiction and bankruptcy, it must be noted that even though gambling is largely illegal, it is still rampant and unchecked.
What should be done?
- Regulatory framework will help people
A robust regulatory framework governing the gaming sector will ensure that people do not fall prey to the excesses of gambling
- Awareness campaigns
Awareness campaigns should educate people about the perils of excessive gambling
- Vulnerable sections shouldn’t have access
Minors, habitual gamblers and vulnerable sections should be excluded from having access to gaming facilities
- Limits on the amounts wagered
Limits must be imposed on the amounts that can be wagered, based on a person’s financial capabilities.
