The Law Commission on Friday said that reports it had proposed legalising gambling and betting were a misinterpretation of its recommendations to the Centre. The commission said it has “strongly and categorically” told the government that legalising betting and gambling is not desirable in the present scenario.

A complete ban on unlawful betting and gambling must be ensured, the commission said. However, it added, the “inability to enforce a complete ban has resulted in a rampant increase in illegal gambling”. “Since it is not possible to prevent these activities completely, effectively regulating them remains the only viable option,” the commission said.

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In its clarification, the Law Commission said it has recommended “guidelines and safeguards” to the government – to be used in case legislators decide to regulate the activities.

The commission had on Thursday submitted to the Centre a report titled Legal Framework: Gambling and Sports Betting including Cricket in India. News reports said that it recommended allowing gambling and betting as taxable activities so that they can be used as a source of foreign direct investment.