9 individuals have been arrested in the Indian capital of New Delhi. The arrests were made in connection to a gambling racket at Prachin Kuan near Park Jamroodpur.

The bust was carried out by Delhi Police Narcotics Squad who also recovered cash to the tune of Rs 14,500 along with other undisclosed materials. In a statement made by DCP South Chandan Chaudhary, information pertaining to the racket was received from a credible source which prompted the bust. The case was registered under the Delhi Public Gambling Act, with further investigation to follow. The legislation in question was enacted in 1955 and prohibits all forms of gambling within the Delhi borders, aside from the exception of horse racing wagers. The act is uncompromisingly clear that anyone present in any capacity at a functioning gambling house risks receiving a fine up to the sum of ₹500. Owning or operating a gambling house could result in an imprisonment for up to 6 months or a fine of up to ₹1000. These charges may double each time an individual is found guilty. The law was passed to regulate instances such as the one aforementioned, which are all too common and outrageously in demand. Activity at these “underground casinos” is hosted in many hotels or farmhouses. These illicit operations can occur either on or offline and players attend via invite. The ecosystem that the gambling act is attempting to quell is in actual fact quite well-developed, with players also provided with accommodation and travel included with the entry fee into these gambling houses. What is perhaps even more worrying from the regulatory perspective is that players wager and gamble using cryptocurrencies making traceability a massive issue. This is a complicated situation as Delhi is the only Indian state subject to such a stringent prohibition, with the rest of the states allowed to decide their legislation subject to the country-wide Public Gambling Act, 1867, which does not apply in any capacity in Delhi.

It would seem a discussion is to be had regarding the prohibition of gambling in the nation with over a billion residents. The usual worries are still relevant in India, issues such as crime, corruption and activities related to money laundering activities. However, some states in India have already legalised gambling in some form, for instance Goa operates legal casinos and has contributed the equivalent of tens of millions of dollars to state revenue, with the entire national market including both legal and illicit activities amounting to roughly $60 billion a year.

Undeniably proving there is a market readily available should legalisation occur. The Indian government has already announced a plan to replace the 1867 act but perhaps the more crimes that are committed against such an anachronistic law will prompt a more timely response and a more effective solution.

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