Report No. 276

Annexure -I

Responses from Stakeholders

Pursuant to the mandate given by the Supreme Court of India to study the possibility of legalising betting in India, the Commission issued an Appeal on 30 May 2017 requesting the stakeholders, operators, organisations, and the public at large to respond (Appended). State Governments and various sports associations were also requested to give their opinion on the following issues:

a. Will legalising betting and gambling help in curbing illegal activities undertaken by the citizens of our country in this regard?

b. Will licensing such activities help the government earn substantial revenue and generate employment?

c. How far will legalising betting and gambling be morally correct in the Indian circumstances?

d. What would be the possible model by which people engaging in these activities can be safeguarded from bankruptcy?

e. If legalised, should foreign betting and gambling companies be allowed to have a foothold in the country?

f. Any other relevant issue.

The Commission received numerous responses from various stakeholders including State governments, individuals, operators, sports associations, etc. It is observed that there has been a mixed response to the questionnaire put in the public domain. The Commission received 195 responses. The Commission examined the responses received from the stakeholders and a brief analysis is given below.