Chief Minister Nayab Saini Unveils Haryana Public Gambling Prevention Bill, 2025
The Haryana government has initiated stringent measures to curb the rising corruption in sports. Recently, the Haryana Public Gambling Prevention Bill, 2025 was introduced in the assembly. Under this legislation, individuals caught engaging in match or spot fixing could face imprisonment ranging from three to five years.

Additionally, the bill proposes severe penalties, including fines starting at ₹5 lakh. For repeat offenders, the prison term could be a minimum of five years, extendable up to seven years, with fines potentially reaching ₹7 lakh. Following the introduction of this bill, the government plans to repeal outdated laws, replacing the obsolete Public Gambling Act of 1867 and incorporating provisions to tackle gambling syndicates.

The bill includes penalties for gambling, membership in gambling syndicates, and operating illegal gambling houses. It grants executive magistrates or designated police officers the authority to conduct searches, seizures, and arrests without a warrant. Furthermore, any property acquired through gambling offenses will be subject to confiscation under Section 107 of the Indian Code of Civil Procedure. The bill distinguishes between skill-based games and games of chance, allowing the state government to notify any games falling under these categories.

Currently, Haryana lacks specific provisions to address match fixing. The bill defines match fixing as any action or omission intended to provide an unfair advantage to an individual or team, including instances where players underperform for financial gain, share insider information, or alter field conditions for consideration. It encompasses all individuals involved in organizing sports, including officials, coaches, referees, and ground staff.

The new legislation aims to repeal the Public Gambling Act of 1867, which the Law Commission of India deemed outdated in its 249th report. The bill's objective is to prevent betting in sports and elections, as well as to combat match fixing and spot fixing, thereby safeguarding the public from fraud.