Recently, Alyque Padamsee was heard on television saying the thrill of betting is part of human nature just like drinking alcohol is part of human existence. So, just as prohibition doesn’t work, a ban on betting and gambling does not work. It was a discussion on IPL match-fixing and betting. And, he very boldly made the point saying how gambling is part of pre-Diwali parties and essentially an Indian tradition finding reference even in Mahabharata. Padamsee, the great advertising guru, was right in that humans have a tendency to do things that thrills and banning means pushing people, who like it to engage in such activities, to do it on the sly. And, as is common with these things, a whole illegal network then gets created, manifesting itself either in match-fixing when it comes to the glamorous cricket; or as in the case of alcohol, bootlegging.
Apart from losing revenue which governments can earn by taxing such activities, there is a dangerous side to all this. Often illegal activities spawn commerce in drugs and sex racket. Well, before I am accused of being presumptive especially in the case of IPL, I must clarify, it is a general statement which does not have any link to the recent scandal but is true of most illegal things. Now, it can be argued that even prostitution is being human and should not be done on the sly but practiced legally.
For argument's sake, all that thrills human beings can be made legal so long as it does not harm anyone. And that probably, was the point Padamsee and many others who argued for legalizing betting put forth. Betting is fine and not match-fixing, is what they say. After all, games whether legal or illegal should have ground rules that are not to be violated. So, you do what thrills you as long as it is within the set rules of a civilized society. Drink, but don’t drive. Drink and gamble but only after a certain age. Gamble but don’t pawn your wife! In India, it is said, five brothers decided to pawn their common wife for some 100 cousins. And, the gambling ended in disrobing of the wife and that is how the story of Mahabharata goes.
For Mr Padamsee and the other liberals, especially those who frequent page three parties, or have really arrived in life, gambling may be the most normal thing before Diwali. And, traditionally too, Indian households think it is auspicious to bring in Laxmi, the goddess of wealth, home during the festival. But I have a question, if betting is legalized what will prevent the parking lot guy near my office to put his hard earned money to bet on the match being played in the Ferozshah Kotla stadium next doors each time cricketers are trying out both their luck and skill? What prevents a rickshaw puller to put in day’s kitty into lottery in the hope of funding his child’s demand for a little extra push in studies that comes from tuition? Raj Kundra may have only betted on his team and maybe other teams, purely out of the thrill of being human but, of course, Mr Padamsee, he and many others who want betting to be legalized do not realise even breaking unsaid rules of the society and laws laid down by governments is what thrills some.
FOR THOSE WHO DON”T KNOW HORSE RACE IS NOT BETTING:
Not many are aware what kind of betting is legal. The Supreme Court had in 1996 ruled that horse betting is not just luck-based, but also skill-based, owing to which it is not illegal gambling according to the 1888 Police Act or the Gaming Act of 1930. Horse racing and betting, therefore, is immensely popular in India. Turf Authorities of India, a regulatory body organising a number of horse racing events and manages trackside bookmakers and pari-mutuel betting booths, manages nine racecourses. Online bookmakers do not offer betting options on Indian horse racing events. Even Sikkim, which issues online gaming licences hasn’t issued any licence for horse betting as yet, says sportsbetting.net.in.
