The Supreme Court of India, in an attempt to root out organized crime and the menace of betting, has ordered a ban on the operations of Satta King in India.
The court order comes after several states had failed to implement the earlier order that had asked them to clamp down on the activities of these illegal betting syndicates.
The Maharashtra Police investigation into the murder of gangster Vicky Malvade revealed how even policemen were involved in betting on Satta markets across various districts.
This article explains everything you need to know about this new judgment from the Supreme Court and its impact on the social acceptance of gambling in India.
What is a Satta King and why is it banned?
Satta, or Satta king, is a form of betting that is popular in parts of India. It is illegal but the authorities have largely turned a blind eye.
Satta is especially popular in the southern states of Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Maharashtra, and in the northern parts of Karnataka.
It is a form of fixed-odds betting in which the bettor bets on the outcomes of events such as cricket matches, elections, and the results of various sports.
Satta operators are also known to launder money and are said to be connected to organized crime. They operate their business on the phone, online and by offering rewards to people who help circulate their business.
The satta king business is estimated to be worth around INR 3,500 crore annually. The business is completely unregulated, with no control over advertising or the amount of money that changes hands.
Effects of SC Ban on Satta King Activities in India
The SC ban on Satta King has led to a situation where people indulged in the betting business are being threatened.
The SC had earlier clamped down on the activities of Satta King but some of the states had failed to follow the order.
To ensure that the SC’s order is implemented, the court has imposed the ban and asked the police to carry out raids to arrest the persons indulged in the illegal betting business.
The SC had earlier directed that the state police should monitor Satta markets and book those who indulge in betting.
Now that the SC has imposed a ban on Satta King, it is expected that the state police will intensify their operations against Satta operators. This should bring some relief to the common man who gets affected by the betting business.
Ban on Television Ads for Online Gaming and Poker Operators
The SC has also imposed a ban on advertisements on television by online gaming and poker operators. The apex court has directed the Centre to come out with appropriate legislation that has a provision to block foreign websites indulging in online gambling.
The SC order on online gambling has come in the wake of rising complaints about youngsters losing money in these gambling sites.
Its order is expected to bring some relief to the youngsters who are often lured by the offers of foreign websites to indulge in online gambling.
Cracking Down on Illegal Internet-based Games
The SC has also brought to notice the growing number of illegal websites that indulge in gambling activities. This is a serious concern as these are operated from outside India and they are out of the reach of Indian authorities.
This is expected to be resolved with the proposed legislation which will make it mandatory for all internet service providers (ISPs) to block such websites.
The SC has also directed the Centre to come out with a law that has a provision to confiscate the funds of illegal online gaming and poker websites. This is expected to bring a significant change in the way gambling is conducted in the country.
How risky is Satta King
As mentioned above, the SC has imposed a ban on Satta King activities and has asked the state police to book those indulging in the illegal betting business.
However, the police will not be targeting those who indulge in the betting business for fun and recreation. The police will arrest those who are indulged in the illegal gambling business and are conducting it to make money from it.
This should bring some relief to the common man who gets affected by the betting business. However, there are no assurances that the police will not arrest those who indulge in Satta for recreation and fun. But those who are playing Satta for recreation should be careful as they are at risk of being caught.
Can police arrest me if you caught playing Satta King?
Yes, the police can arrest you if they find you indulged in the illegal betting business. The SC has also directed the state authorities to initiate criminal proceedings against those who indulge in the betting business.
This would mean that the police will book those who are caught playing Satta King. However, the police may decide to release those who are caught playing Satta provided they are not indulged in the illegal betting business.
You will be required to pay a fine if you are caught playing Satta for fun. However, you should exercise caution as the police may decide to arrest you if they find that you are involved in the illegal betting business.
Conclusion
The SC ban on Satta King activities is expected to bring a significant change in the way gambling is conducted in the country.
However, it is important to note that this ban is applicable to the entire country and not limited to a particular state or city.
The SC order on online gambling is also expected to bring some relief to the youngsters who are often lured by the offers of foreign websites to indulge in online gambling.
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