Bill allowing online betting in racing events likely in Belagavi session

Bengaluru: The state government has prepared a bill that will allow online wagering or betting on racing events, which is expected to be introduced in the upcoming winter session of the legislature.

The government said the bill is being introduced ‘’keeping with the current trend of expanding exposure to racing events” and online betting prevalent in race clubs of other Indian states, including the neighbouring states.

“It is considered necessary to amend the Karnataka Race Courses Licensing Act 1952 (Karnataka Act 7 of 1952). Online betting is prevailing in the Race Clubs of other states, including neighbouring states, Hyderabad Race Club in Telangana, Madras Race Club in Tamil Nadu, Royal Western Indian Turf Club Ltd in Maharashtra and Royal Calcutta Turf Club in West Bengal,” the government claimed.  

Considering the amendments proposed by the Finance Department to the Karnataka Race Courses Licensing Act 1952 (Karnataka Act 7 of 1952) to make provision to grant permission for online wagering or betting, the state Department of Parliamentary Affairs has verified the proposed amendments and approved the bill to be placed in the upcoming winter session of the legislature.

This bill is one among the 31 Bills that may come up during the winter session starting from December 8 in Belagavi.

According to the Finance Department sources, horse racing is not like other online games and it is basically considered a skilled game; hence, it has proposed amendments to allow online wagering for racing events.

“Betting in horse racing is mainly skill and knowledge-based based as observed by the Supreme Court. However, it should be done through a licenced platform,” sources said. They said this is one of the revenue generation ideas mooted by the Finance Department, as allowing online wagering will attract/encourage more interested people to take part in the betting of racing events.

Also, three bills --- Karnataka Mis-Information Regulation Bill 2025(Revised Bill), Karnataka Hate Speech and Hate Crimes (Prevention and Control) Bill 2025 and Karnataka Rohith Vemula (Prevention of Exclusion or Injustice) (Right to Education and Dignity) Bill 2025 --- have been submitted for the law minister to discuss with the home minister. 

Another important Bill listed is the Karnataka Social Boycott (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Bill 2025.

This bill pertains to the observation that the unconstitutional practices, such as boycotts, imposition of various punishments by extrajudicial bodies, such as caste or community panchayats etc, are still in practice in various communities in the state.

“Existing laws are found to be inadequate in dealing with such practices. The government, therefore, considers it expedient to enact legislation for the said purpose,” the government said.