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Law Commission to examine sports betting legalization


The Law Commission of India has begun proceedings to examine the feasibility of legalizing betting in sports.

According to the Hindustan Times, the commission is also bringing the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) under the RTI Act.

“We are examining all legal aspects of betting in sports,” Justice (retired) Balbir Singh Chauhan, chairman, Law Commission of India, told the news outlet.

“Once we make up our mind and prepare a skeleton in what direction we should proceed and what legal problems may arise, we will write to all the stakeholders.”

In July, a verdict ratifying the Justice RM Lodha Committee report on reforms in the BCCI, saw a  Supreme Court bench recommend that the law commission examine the legality of both moves, and make its recommendation to the government.

Following the 2013 IPL spot-fixing scandal, both the Lodha panel and the one headed by Justice Mukul Mudgal have recommended that sports betting should be legalized, according to HT.

“The recommendation made by the Committee that betting should be legalized by law involves the enactment of a law which is a matter that may be examined by the Law Commission and the Government for such action as it may consider necessary in the facts and circumstances of the case,” the verdict in July read.

“In many countries betting in sports is legal but situations are different there. We will study all the aspects,” added Justice Chauhan.

In regards to bringing the BCCI under the RTI Act, Justice Chauhan said: “The study to bring the BCCI under RTI is also under process. We are studying BCCI’s case and consulting some experts also.”

“We are also writing to stakeholders. We have not written to the BCCI, but we will surely listen to them if they come to us,” he added.

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