Haryana's Bold Move: Up to 7-Year Jail for Match-Fixing

The Haryana government took a significant step against corruption in sports on Tuesday by introducing the Haryana Prevention of Public Gambling Bill, 2025. The comprehensive legislation aims to curb match-fixing, spot-fixing, and gambling in sports through stringent penalties.

Strict Penalties for Offenders

The bill proposes a minimum imprisonment of three years, extendable to five years, along with a fine of at least ₹5 lakh for those convicted of match-fixing or spot-fixing. Repeat offenders face even tougher consequences - imprisonment for a minimum of five years, extendable to seven years, with fines starting at ₹7 lakh. "This legislation addresses a serious issue that has plagued sports for too long," said a senior sports administrator from the state.

Replacing Outdated Law

The new bill will replace the Public Gambling Act of 1867, which the Law Commission of India had described as obsolete in its 249th report. The 158-year-old colonial-era law lacked provisions to deal with modern forms of gambling and sports corruption.

Clear Definitions 

One of the bill's strengths is its clear definitions of previously ambiguous terms. Match-fixing is defined as any intentional act to unduly favor specific individuals or teams, including players deliberately underperforming for financial gain or sharing insider information.

The legislation also defines spot-fixing as the manipulation of specific events within a match for wrongful gain. The bill covers all individuals involved in organizing games - officials, coaches, referees, and support staff.

Additionally, the The government has established a framework to distinguish between "games of skill" and "games of chance," and categorize specific games under either classification.

Enhanced Enforcement 

The bill strengthens enforcement capabilities by authorizing executive magistrates and gazetted police officers to conduct searches, seizures, and arrests without warrants when necessary. Property derived from gambling offenses will be subject to attachment or forfeiture under Section 107 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita. A former law enforcement official noted, "These provisions give authorities the tools they need to effectively tackle organized gambling operations."