The ban on public gambling in Uttar Pradesh will soon be accompanied by a stricter law. Reportedly, the State Law Commission has submitted the draft for a new code that interdicts public gambling, including online stakes and other forms of betting. Public gambling has been further bracketed under non-bailable offences and lawbreakers will have to endure a maximum punishment of three years in prison.
Salient recommendations put forward to break the chain of gambling cartels
This bill has been curated, holding in view the rapidly evolving forms of online gambling, that need to be kicked at the curb. The practice of gambling often induces crimes and fraudulent activities and it may also bankrupt the participants, amid other major repercussions. Inked under the chairmanship of the State Law Commission, headed by Justice A.N. Mittal, the draft report, titled ‘Uttar Pradesh Public Gaming (Prevention) Bill’ was submitted to UP’s Chief Minister, earlier this week.
Although at present, the Public Gambling Act issues a year of imprisonment and a ₹1,000 penalty to the wrongdoer, these punitive measures are not enough to check online gambling, officials stated. Moreover, salient recommendations have been put forward, to break the chain of cartels that operate gambling houses and bookies in the state.
The Commission has recommended increasing the punishment to one more year and imposing a fine ₹5,000. Along with it, the body has also suggested to categorise online gambling, house gambling operations and betting as non-bailable offences. The new law is slated to bolster the police with more power.
Justice A.N. Mittal, mentioned that a distinction has also been made between a game of skill and chance. Consequently, card games played under the segment of ‘Game of Skill’ will not be punishable. He also stated that if a family plays cards in their house as an innocuous tradition or for entertainment purposes and no outsider is present, then it will not be felonious.
