The Indian state of Haryana’s Assembly has passed the Haryana Prevention of Public Gambling Bill, 2025, introducing penalties for gambling, match-fixing, and organised betting. The bill, which was introduced in the House on March 18, received approval on March 27. It aims to curb illegal gambling activities and ensure fair play in sports.
Jail terms and fines for gambling offences
The new law imposes severe consequences for gambling-related offences:
- Public Gambling: Anyone found gambling in a public place, or a common gambling house faces up to one year in jail or a fine of up to ₹10,000, or both.
- Common Gambling House Operators: Owners, occupiers, or financers of gambling houses face three to five years of imprisonment and a fine of up to ₹1 lakh.
- Match-Fixing & Spot-Fixing: Individuals involved in manipulating sports matches will face three to five years in jail and a minimum fine of ₹5 lakh.
- Organised Gambling Syndicates: Members of betting or gambling syndicates will face three to five years of rigorous imprisonment and a fine of ₹5 lakh.
- False Identity & Non-Disclosure: Those refusing to reveal their identity or providing false information during an investigation face up to three years in jail or a fine of ₹10,000, or both.
Police given search and arrest powers
The bill grants significant powers to the police to crack down on gambling activities. Any executive magistrate or gazetted police officer can authorise a sub-inspector or higher-ranked officer to conduct searches and arrests. If credible information or inquiry confirms an offence under the act, officers can raid premises, arrest individuals without a warrant, and seize gambling-related items, including money and equipment.
Opposition raises concerns over drafting issues
During the discussion, Congress MLA Aditya Surjewala criticised the bill, calling it “deeply flawed” and poorly drafted. He argued that the law fails to define key gambling instruments like gaming boards, cards, and dice. He also pointed out that various forms of betting are not covered under the bill. Surjewala urged the government to refer the bill to a Select Committee for a more detailed review, suggesting that Haryana should study similar laws from other states before finalising the legislation.
Could this be a blueprint for other Indian states?
Haryana’s decision to modernise gambling laws could push other Indian states to follow suit. With the Indian Supreme Court and various regulatory bodies debating how to regulate betting, this bill could serve as a model for national gambling reform.
With illegal sports betting estimated to be worth billions annually, Haryana’s crackdown on match-fixing is a major step toward protecting sports integrity. However, experts argue that enforcement will be key as illegal gambling networks continue to adapt to digital platforms and offshore operations.
