Betting: If you can't tame it, legalise it

In the wake of recent revelations in the Justice Mugdal report, the average cricket fan in a cricket-crazy nation finds themselves in a concoction of shame and anger for being fooled time and again. Since the scandal broke out last year, a lot of players and officials, including the likes of Rahul Dravid and Geoffrey Boycott have come forward supporting the legalization of betting.

On a thorough research regarding gambling and betting in the country, one can’t fail to notice a few grey areas surrounding the archaic laws that makes it illegal. The law in India is still based on the Gambling Act 1867 with a few add-ons post independence. Lottery is a form of gambling , so is horse-racing betting.

There are about 13 states that recognise lottery in India. The law was modified post independence to include games that involved “SKILL SETS” hence horse-race betting and rummy (yes, rummy) were acceptable . I thought cricket was all about skills too ?

But here is something you all might not know. All formats of betting and gambling is legal in UK and some parts of Europe. Get on to www.bet365.com and see it for yourself. Right now, the odds on the ongoing World T20 matches are being displayed, and I think its legal for anyone in India to bet on it, since its a licensed franchise operating out of Britain (it’s LEGAL there).

So where are we wrong? By making it illegal, we are just pushing everything under the carpet and pretending all is neat and tidy in cricket. About 40000 crores are put on the table each year, and who knows where that kind of money end up (read D company). By making this legal, we are bringing everything under a framework, and we are putting it down on paper with a definite money trail that can be followed. And according to taxes and laws that are applicable, the central government may get somewhere around 10000-20000 crores as taxes .

With the IPL around the corner, it wouldn’t be a surprise to hear a lot more scandals break out along the lines of spot fixing again. As an ordinary fan who spends time and money to watch cricket, I would be more than pleased to spend a few bucks betting legally on the outcomes of cricket, just like the silly bets you place with your best friends all these years before every important match India plays.

If the corporate big guns can make money illegally, it’s time we made some money legally out of our cricketing minds that an ordinary fan has honed throughout his lifetime watching and patronizing the game. The best thing to go about it is to make it legal. The rusted laws in the country were framed a century ago, and it’s time we took hold of this evil called fixing, and convert it into something better.

With cries of making betting legal from every corner of the world, it’s time somebody took notice of it and look for it’s feasibility in the country. Illegal money laundering through betting has plagues the sport for quite a while now, and the ordinary fans are frustrated when incidents like last year see the light of the day. It’s time somebody listened to what the cricket lovers in the country has to say. Over the years, we have stood through a lot of scandals, and it’s been frustrating for every ardent fan of cricket, to watch players fall from their hero status, players who they praised and worshiped from the beginning of their career.

Extra info – The Pakistani cricketers in jail in England. What about them? I thought you said it’s legal there.

Answer- Yes, its legal there. Apparently, a fan filed a case for CHEATING him! Yes, he felt cheated , and he filed it for cheating in betting! yes, CHEATING IN BETTING.

So decide for yourself, do you want it legalised?