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India should legalise sports betting
International Cricket Council (ICC) chief executive Haroon Lorgat believes legalising sports gambling in India would help address the problem of corruption on the subcontinent.
A series of corruption scandals with links to Pakistan and India have led to calls to legalise betting in a country where gambling is confined to horse racing and casinos are only allowed in a couple of states.
Lorgat and his colleagues at the ICC have held discussions about urging the Indian Government to legalise cricket gambling, according to a report in The National newspaper on Monday (February 7).
"I agree with the notion that if it is regulated it is a lot better than if it is not regulated," Lorgat said.
"We have made inquiries, and these are the things we are working towards."
In the absence of official figures, media reports claim an India-Pakistan one-day international draws bets worth $20m through an illegal syndicate.
However, Lorgat insists the forthcoming World Cup – which India co-hosts along with Sri Lanka and Bangladesh – will be free of corruption.
"I am confident for two reasons," Lorgat continued.
"The main one is that the vast majority of players are honest players. They do play the game in the spirit that it should be played. They are not seeking to make gains out of untoward means.
"Secondly, we are alive to what could come to the fore in terms of corruption. We have measures in place.
"I am satisfied we will have measures in place at the World Cup. We will increase capacity because we realise things do change."
An ICC tribunal at the weekend banned the Pakistani trio of Salman Butt, Mohammad Asif and Mohammad Amir, who were found guilty of spot-fixing in the fourth test against England last August.
Lorgat hopes the punishment will serve as a deterrent.
"I think it would take someone very brave not to take heed of what has happened,” he added.
A series of corruption scandals with links to Pakistan and India have led to calls to legalise betting in a country where gambling is confined to horse racing and casinos are only allowed in a couple of states.
Lorgat and his colleagues at the ICC have held discussions about urging the Indian Government to legalise cricket gambling, according to a report in The National newspaper on Monday (February 7).
"I agree with the notion that if it is regulated it is a lot better than if it is not regulated," Lorgat said.
"We have made inquiries, and these are the things we are working towards."
In the absence of official figures, media reports claim an India-Pakistan one-day international draws bets worth $20m through an illegal syndicate.
However, Lorgat insists the forthcoming World Cup – which India co-hosts along with Sri Lanka and Bangladesh – will be free of corruption.
"I am confident for two reasons," Lorgat continued.
"The main one is that the vast majority of players are honest players. They do play the game in the spirit that it should be played. They are not seeking to make gains out of untoward means.
"Secondly, we are alive to what could come to the fore in terms of corruption. We have measures in place.
"I am satisfied we will have measures in place at the World Cup. We will increase capacity because we realise things do change."
An ICC tribunal at the weekend banned the Pakistani trio of Salman Butt, Mohammad Asif and Mohammad Amir, who were found guilty of spot-fixing in the fourth test against England last August.
Lorgat hopes the punishment will serve as a deterrent.
"I think it would take someone very brave not to take heed of what has happened,” he added.
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