Gamini SinglaAIR 3 · CSE 2021 · 339 wordsTheir whole copy
Opening
The given case points towards the rising incidents of gambling in sports and other industries. Recently, a report by the Law commission has suggested to make gambling and betting legal.
Body · points and prose
My opinion on the matter
I believe that betting and gambling must not be legalised as:
→ Making it legal will lead to proliferation of gambling → Gambling and betting is an addiction which:
a) Wastes hard earned money of individual
b) Destroys the real essence behind watching sports which should be to appreciate the skills of the player and learning from sportsmanship
c) May promote match fixing in order to win bets
d) Extra pressure on the sportspersons who are cursed when they loose, which effects their mental health. Eg. Vinesh Phogat, Naomi Osaka
Rather than legalising it, state must be taking following steps:
Effecting implementation of law through regular monitoring, regular intelligence inputs and skilling the police to deal with such issues.
Largescale campaigns on social media led by actors, sportsmen and lectures in schools and colleges against the practice.
Parents must guide their children about the harm caused by these practices.
Merits of legalising it:
Making it legal means the activity will no longer remain covert and state can get a true picture of the extent of its prevalence.
It will make targeting people easy and social campaigns can meanwhile go on to spread awareness.
Contribute to the economy and curb the money laundering and black money problems. Adequate taxation can increase the resource base of the state.
A source of entertainment for the people and incentivise them to take interest in activities → boost the media industry.
Promote social cohesion as betting and gambling involve social interactions which can deal with issues of loneliness, isolation in current world.
Close · a way forward
The approach of state must be based on proper research on the merits and demerits of legalising it, studying the other international practices, and doing impact assessment studies. The decision must be based on utilitarian and common good approach.