Haryana bill proposes tougher penalties for match-fixing and illegal gambling
A new bill proposes jail terms of up to five years and heavier fines for match-fixing, illegal betting and gambling operations.
India.- The government of Haryana has introduced the Haryana Prevention of Public Gambling Bill, 2025, proposing new penalties for match-fixing or illegal gambling activities. Chief minister Nayab Singh Saini, who is also the home minister, said current legislation under the Public Gambling Act of 1867 was outdated.
Under the proposed legislation, breaches of the law could incur imprisonment of three to five years and a fine of at least Rs 5 lakh (US$5.77k). For a second violation, the punishment would be imprisonment for up to seven years.
The legislation also lists penalties for gambling in public places or common gambling houses of up to one year, a fine of up to Rs10,000 (US$115), or both. It also introduces provisions enabling certain authorities, like executive magistrates or police officers, to search places where a gambling offence may be occurring without a warrant and to seize any money or materials used for gambling.
Andhra Pradesh considers legalising state lotteries and online gaming
The Andhra Pradesh government is reportedly considering the legalisation of state lotteries and online gaming as part of a plan to generate INR13,100 crore (US$1.51bn) in additional tax revenue. There is little information about the plan, but BusinessLine reports that the Department of Finance has circulated proposals among departments and that chief minister N. Chandrababu Naidu is expected to make a decision soon.
Lotteries are currently banned in the state. It’s estimated that a tax on state lotteries could raise ₹3,000 crore. Meanwhile, the government is considering a range of new taxes and increases to boost revenue for infrastructure, including a one per cent cess on state GST, VAT on alcohol and products including mobile phones and a rise in entertainment tax.
The government says additional tax revenue would not be allocated to complete the new capital, Amaravati, which is expected to be financed by loans. The Andhra Pradesh High Court is set to analyse the possibility of online gaming on March 26.
