Haryana Prevention of Public Gambling Act, 2025: Sweeping Reforms and Penalties Announced [Read Notification]

The Government of Haryana has officially brought into force the Haryana Prevention of Public Gambling Act, 2025. This new law marks a major shift in how the state regulates gambling, betting, fantasy trading, and related activities, replacing the more than 150-year-old Public Gambling Act of 1867. It is designed to address modern challenges, including the rise of online betting and organised gambling syndicates.

Purpose of the Act

The new law aims to prevent public gambling in both physical and digital spaces. It punishes the operation of gambling houses, betting on sports or elections, and illegal activities such as match fixing and spot fixing. The Act also provides clear legal definitions, structured penalties, and procedures for investigation and enforcement.

It extends to all parts of Haryana and came into force on May 21, 2025, the date it was published in the Official Gazette.

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What the Law Defines

The Act defines several key terms to make its provisions clear.

A "bet" means any agreement where people predict the outcome of an uncertain event and agree to pay or forfeit something of value depending on the result. Betting includes placing bets using electronic communication such as websites, apps, or any other digital tools.

"Gambling" includes both betting and gaming. A "game of chance" is one that depends more on luck than skill, while a "game of skill" mainly depends on the player's knowledge, training, or experience. The government can officially recognise certain games as games of skill.

A "common gambling house" is any place, including physical buildings or digital platforms, that is used to conduct gambling in exchange for money or other rewards. The law also defines "match fixing" and "spot fixing" as dishonest acts during sporting events for personal gain.

The law recognises "organised gambling syndicates" as groups that manage or run gambling operations as a regular activity. Such groups are given special attention due to the scale and impact of their operations.

Offences and Penalties

The Haryana Prevention of Public Gambling Act, 2025, introduces strong penalties to prevent and discourage all forms of gambling. The punishments apply to both individuals and groups involved in public or digital gambling, whether on a small scale or as part of an organised operation.

Gambling in Public or in a Common Gambling House

A person found gambling in a public place or inside a common gambling house can be sentenced to imprisonment for up to one year or fined up to ten thousand rupees, or both. If the person has been convicted earlier and is caught again, the penalty increases. The minimum sentence becomes one year, and it can go up to three years, along with a mandatory fine of at least ten thousand rupees.

If someone is found present in a common gambling house, the law assumes they were gambling unless they can prove otherwise.

Owning, Managing, or Financing a Gambling House

Anyone who owns, manages, or financially supports a common gambling house is subject to strict punishment. The sentence ranges from three to five years in prison and a fine of up to one lakh rupees. If the same person is caught again, the penalty becomes more severe. They can be imprisoned for five to seven years and fined between two and five lakh rupees.

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Match Fixing and Spot Fixing in Sports

The law treats cheating in sports very seriously. Anyone involved in match fixing or spot fixing faces three to five years in prison and a fine of no less than five lakh rupees. For repeat offenders, the prison term is five to seven years, and the fine must be at least seven lakh rupees.

Abetment of Gambling Offences

If a person helps, encourages, or supports another person to commit an offence under this Act, and the act is carried out, the helper receives the same punishment as the main offender. This rule applies even if the helper did not directly participate in the gambling activity.

Membership in an Organised Gambling Syndicate

A person who is a member of a group or syndicate that runs gambling activities as a business will face rigorous imprisonment for a term of three to five years and a fine of five lakh rupees. If that person is found guilty again, the punishment increases to five to seven years in prison and a fine of at least five lakh rupees.

Giving False Identity or Pretending to Be Someone Else

If a person caught under this law refuses to share their identity, gives false details, or pretends to be another person when questioned by a police officer, they can be punished with imprisonment for up to three years or fined ten thousand rupees, or both. In the case of a second offence, the punishment is more severe. The person can be imprisoned for three to five years and fined at least twenty thousand rupees.

Police and Magistrate Powers

The Act gives significant powers to Executive Magistrates and senior police officers. If they receive reliable information or conduct an enquiry and find that gambling is taking place, they can authorise a police officer of the rank of Sub Inspector or above to carry out searches and make arrests without a warrant.

Police officers can enter places suspected of hosting gambling, seize money, articles, and gambling instruments, and arrest individuals found there. If gambling tools or documents are found in a place, it will be assumed that the place was used for gambling, and the people responsible for the place will be presumed to be part of an organised gambling group unless they can prove otherwise.

Handling of Seized Items and Property

Any items used for gambling, including money, equipment, or electronic devices, will be dealt with as per the procedures in the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita of 2023. Property obtained directly or indirectly through gambling activities may be attached, forfeited, or restored based on specific legal provisions.

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Protection and Exemptions

The law allows the State Government to exempt certain markets or areas from the Act if it finds it necessary. It also protects government officers acting in good faith under the law. No lawsuit or legal action can be taken against them for doing their duties honestly.

The Act also protects whistleblowers. If a person involved in gambling testifies truthfully in court and helps the prosecution, the court can issue a certificate that protects them from punishment for their past involvement.

All fines imposed under this law will be recovered in line with the procedure provided under the Sanhita. The Act also allows the government to make special orders to remove difficulties during implementation for a period of up to two years from the date it came into force.

Repeal of Old Law

The Act formally repeals the Public Gambling Act of 1867 as it applied to Haryana. However, any action taken under the old law remains valid as long as it does not conflict with the new Act.

To Read the full text of the Notification CLICK HERE

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