India's top court appointed a three-member panel who has recommended the legalization of cricket betting in the country. The panel also suggested changes in the structure of the powerful Indian board or BCCI to ensure transparent operations.
It is well-known in India that legal gambling is limited to horse-racing only. However, syndicates of illegal betting remain to thrive, Starbroek News said. In fact, a betting scandal happened in 2013 that caused two-year bans on two Indian Premier League (IPL) franchises last year, namely the Rajasthan Royals and Chennai Super Kings (CSK) teams.
Panel chairman RM Lodha stated that they have suggested legalizing betting to the legislature as to ensure that players and administrators will not bet during matches. Moreover, they recommended that BCCI must have an 'in-built mechanism.'
"To ensure they don't involve in betting, they have to disclose their assets to the BCCI. It can only be done through betting houses which will have to take licenses," Lodha said. He added that the result of any misconduct done is the cancellation of those licenses.
As for the BCCI, it has spent a significant amount of time to defend itself in the top court. It has also become the panel's task to probe how the richest cricket board in the world operates.
According to Enca, Lodha's panel was assembled in January last year to give recommendations and changes after the two franchise owners of IPL were proven guilty by the top court on betting on the 2013 match results.
Times of India also reported that the panel was expected to come up with extensive recommendations. Thus, this legalization of cricket gambling has not only been suggested but also the professionalization and decentralization of board's functioning. Further, having a new players' association and providing IPL a limited autonomy were advised as to avoid redundant patterns of voting.
For now, nothing is still confirmed. The recommendations of the panel are subject for review.
