As Long As It Stays Illegal, Gambling Is Not a Problem for M'Laya, but Regulating It Will Raise Crimes, Prostitution and Alcoholism: How Logical Is That Claim By HYC

The Hynniewtrep Youth Council Fears Gambling Regulation

The Hynniewtrep Youth Council (HYC), a Meghalaya pressure group, has joined certain religious organisations condemning the state government's move to legalise offline and online betting and casino gaming. In a letter sent to State Chief Minister Conrad Sangma, HYC express their fears that regulation on gambling would serve only to raise crimes, prostitution and alcoholism in Meghalaya.
“Meghalaya

The Hynniewtrep Youth Council (HYC), a Meghalaya pressure group, has joined certain religious organisations condemning the state government's move to legalise offline and online betting and casino gaming. In a letter sent to State Chief Minister Conrad Sangma, HYC express their fears that regulation on gambling would serve only to raise crimes, prostitution and alcoholism in Meghalaya.

"Meghalaya has already legalised different playing and gaming actions like Lottery, Video games of Arrow Capturing (Teer) and different Video games of Likelihood by the Meghalaya Regulation of the Sport of Arrow Capturing and the Gross sales of Teer Tickets Act, 2018, and Meghalaya Lottery Regulation Guidelines, 2019, and therefore additional legalisation of Gaming and playing actions will badly have an effect on the society as an entire," says the letter by HYC President Robertjune Kharjahrin and Normal Secretary Roy Kupar Synrem.

Previously, Khasi Jaintia Christian Leaders Forum (KJCLF) met with CM Sangma to voice their concerns regarding the legalisation of gambling and betting in Meghalaya. At the meeting, the clergy group asked the government to revoke the Meghalaya Regulation of Gaming Act, 2021.

"We share the emotions expressed by the assorted spiritual teams within the State and we demand that the State Authorities ought to repeal the aforesaid Act and Guidelines instantly," the HYC officials stated.

The Reasons Behind Meghalaya's Move to Regulate Gambling

Chief Minister Conrad Sangma has been quite clear explaining the reasons that stand behind the Meghalaya government's decision to legalize and regulate gambling and betting in the state. On the one hand, there is the need to help the cash-strapped exchequer and boost the local economy with tourism, and on the other hand, there is the need to bring control over the ongoing illegal gambling activities in the capital Shillong and the rest of the state.

"A lot of income is required for various wants of presidency staff, lecturers and several others. Whereas we have a look at income, how will we be sure that the social funding of the state may be met?" CM Sangma stated. He also pointed out that many types of online and offline gaming had been going on in the state for the last 20-25 years without any legal framework to govern them.

This flaw will now be corrected, moreover, licensed operators of casinos and online platforms for cricket betting tips or other sportsbooks will be forbidden to admit local citizens to play for fear of having their license canceled, the chief minister explained.

Illegal Gambling Funds Criminal Activity, while Regulation Decreases Both

Regulation over gambling and betting is not a new concept around the world, as an increasing number of developed economies have resorted to such measures in order to gain control over the sector, increase tax revenues and enhance customer protection for the public. Legalization and regulation channels money streams away from the gambling black market where illegal proceeds are often being used to fund other criminal activities, and instead leads to job creation and enhanced welfare capabilities of the state.

The experience of recent years of countries like the UK, Sweden, Denmark, Italy, Spain, France, and a number of states in the US shows enhanced customer protection through various responsible gaming mechanisms and restrictions of unwanted practices by operators, as well as decreased match-fixing, money laundering and other illegal activities.

On the other hand, unregulated jurisdictions tend to attract all kinds of black market gaming operators and betting rackets, leading to increased crime rates, frauds, and various other dangers.

All this is contradictory to the claims made by HYC which practically imply that as long as gambling stays illegal in Meghalaya it will cause no problems, but if the government brings regulation to the sector, then crime, prostitution and alcoholism will start. As we all know, turning a convenient blind eye on a problem does not make it disappear, but can only make it worse.

Meghalaya HSPDP Party Also Finds Regulation Sensible

Although initially hesitant, the Hill State People's Democratic Party (HSPDP), a part of the ruling Meghalaya Democratic Alliance (MDA) coalition, after consultations with CM Sangma has expressed a position that given the existing gambling activities in the state, regulation is a sensible initiative.

"At the same time through the media report, we have seen that even casino will be put in place in our state but after the chief minister brief us the whole purpose of this Act. Yes there are some clauses that gambling like there is one of the age old practices in our state, for that particular purpose we feel that it is ok that the government has to regulate this type of gambling," HSPDP chief KP Pangniang said.