Regulation Of Gambling in India: A Way Forward in The Direction of Responsible and Sustainable Gambling

This research paper explores the complex and multifaceted issue of gambling regulation in India. It begins by establishing the need and significance of gambling legislations, followed by a historical overview of gambling and its legislation during the periods of Ancient India, Mauryan Empire and British Rule. The paper then delves into the contemporary period, examining prohibitory, permissive, and regulatory legislations. A comprehensive cost-benefit analysis of the three types of legislations i.e. permissive legislation, regulatory legislation and prohibitory legislation is conducted to understand their implications. The study further investigates the regulation of gambling through legislations, formal and informal education, and the introduction of concepts such as Gambling-worthiness and Gamble scoring. Gambling is seen with a taboo primarily because of two reasons, firstly it hampers the economic stability of the individual & subsequently its family and secondly it creates addiction. Both of these psychological & economic issues can be dealt by GIBIL and the concept of Gambling-worthiness and gamble scoring. It will help in identifying problem gamblers and pathological gamblers, curbing loan sharking and protecting vulnerable section of society. It also examines the economic repercussions of regulatory legislations on gambling. The paper concludes with an analysis of the current situation and offers policy suggestions for regulation at the production, consumption, and market levels. The implications of these policies are also discussed, providing a holistic view of the gambling landscape in India. This paper aims to contribute to the discourse on gambling regulation and provide insights for policymakers, educators, and stakeholders in the gambling industry.