Right bet: Govt should accept Law Commission's views on regulated gambling

There is no need for the government to be defensive about legalising betting because there are many upsides

The Law Commission of India (LCI) has recommended regulated betting and gambling activities across all sports to “effectively curb the menace of black-money generation through illegal gambling”. The commission, which prepared its report under a Supreme Court directive, gave its suggestions on how betting and gambling must be regulated if the Centre and states feel compelled to legalise them. Regulation, it said, would empower the government to identify and prevent instances of gambling by minors and “problem-gamblers”. The commission has also suggested a three-pronged strategy — reforming the existing gambling (lottery, horse racing) market, regulating gambling and introducing stringent and