Central law is needed to legalise betting in cricket: BCCI to Supreme Court

New Delhi: The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) today told the Supreme Court that betting in cricket matches can be legalised only if a central law is enacted in this regard. A bench comprising Chief Justice T S Thakur and Justice F M I Kalifulla asked for BCCI’s response after amicus curiae Gopal Subramaniam supported the recommendations of Justice R M Lodha panel on legalising betting in cricket matches. [caption id=“attachment_2627528” align=“alignleft” width=“380”] Representational Image. Reuters[/caption] “You did not argue against this point of legalising betting in cricket matches. Shall be construe that you agree with it,” the bench said to BCCI counsel. Senior advocate K K Venugopal appearing for BCCI said for legalising the betting in cricket matches, a central law has to be passed. He said every state has its own law relating to betting and gambling and it will not be feasible. The current proceedings in the apex court is the outcome of the petition filed by Cricket Association of Bihar (CAB) through its secretary Aditya Kumar Verma who has alleged large scale irregularities. The apex court had on April 25 pulled up BCCI for “monopolising” cricket in the country and had said several youngsters wanting to be Dhonis and Kohlis are not given equal opportunity if they are not on the right side of the cricket body.