AIGF asks India Prime Minister to legalize sports betting

[The Buzz]

According to a Business Standard report, the newly launched All India Gaming Federation sent a letter to the Prime Minister asking him to consider legalizing sports betting. The letter outlined how the lack of funds available to various sports governing bodies in India, mainly the non-cricket sports, has "affected India's performance on the world stage, the most recent example being the Rio Olympics, and how revenue generated by legalising betting in sports can help."

"It is important to note that various industry bodies and jurists like Justice Lodha have recommended legalising sports betting as an important measure to improve sporting facilities and eliminate fraud/betting in sports. A report prepared by the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (Ficci) indicates that Rs 19,000 crore can be earned annually by imposing a 20 per cent tax on sports betting and gaming activities," said the letter. This would be a huge jump in the size of the gaming industry, which currently stands at Rs 2,650 crore (Ficci-KPMG).

Here is a link to the article: http://www.business-standard.com/art...0501015_1.html

[Miles_FTA]

In India if they did this the government would reap huge benefits but nit sure how the illegal sports betting fraternity would handle this .. The brave person that decided to pass this into law may have a huge target on his back and these criminals would lose Millions in revenue but it would clean up a lot of sports in particular cricket where most of these illegal bets are taking place and it would stop great cricketers from getting heads turned possibly ( RIP HANSIE )