BENGALURU: The Karnataka government has revoked the digital betting privileges accorded to Bangalore Turf Club with immediate effect.
In the communique addressed to the BTC on Friday, December 11, under-secretary to the State Finance department, K. Savithramma, stated: “I am directed to inform you that in-principle approval accorded by Government to conduct online betting vide letter cited under reference is hereby withdrawn with immediate effect.”
The government rescinded its permission in response to a PIL submitted by C Gopal before the Karnataka High Court against the move. The court had issued a notice to the government in November. A hearing of the PIL was held on December 4, where a divisional Bench rejected the government’s justification for granting the permit and questioned the legal provisions under which it had given the permission.
The PIL contended that in the absence of regulation, online gambling should be banned as it is corrupting youth and leading to cases of suicides due to financial distress.
The BTC was granted the permission to conducted online bets for horse racing as physical gatherings stood cancelled due to COVID-19. The step was taken to help the BTC, which was facing a financial crunch in the wake of the pandemic.
