Central law needed to legalise betting in cricket: BCCI to SC

New Delhi, May 3

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) on Wednesday told the Supreme Court that betting in cricket matches could be legalised only if a central law was 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.

"You did not argue against this point of legalising betting in cricket matches. Shall we construe that you agree with it," the bench said to BCCI counsel.

Senior advocate KK Venugopal appearing for BCCI said for legalising betting in cricket matches, a central law had to be passed.

He said every state had its own law relating to betting and gambling and it would not be feasible.

The current proceedings in the apex court is the outcome of a petition filed by Cricket Association of Bihar (CAB) through its secretary Aditya Kumar Verma who had 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 were not given equal opportunity if they were not on the right side of the cricket body. — PTI