Justice Vikramjit Sen Calls IPL Auctions ‘Gambling’, Highlights Challenges in Gaming Industry Regulation
In a scathing critique ahead of the 2025 Indian Premier League (IPL) player auction, former Supreme Court judge Justice Vikramjit Sen compared the bidding process to gambling. Speaking at the launch of the book Online Gaming in India – Technology, Policy, and Challenges in New Delhi, Justice Sen emphasized that the huge sums of money spent on cricketers during the auction, based on limited statistical data, are akin to a gamble. He noted that despite its legal acceptance, such activities remain controversial compared to other forms of gambling. The IPL 2025 auction is set to take place on November 24-25 in Jeddah, marking only the second time it will be held outside India.
The ongoing challenges facing India’s online gaming industry were also discussed, with experts pointing to the lack of clear regulations distinguishing games of skill from games of chance. The sector, projected to reach INR 231 billion by 2025, is currently navigating a regulatory vacuum. Legal experts at the event highlighted issues such as taxation complexities and the growing influence of fantasy sports, especially in cricket, with over 550 million gamers in India. Vikramjit Banerjee, Additional Solicitor General of India, also weighed in, describing India’s gaming market as a “Wild West” where the absence of comprehensive regulations fuels corporate interests at the expense of legal oversight.
With the IPL auction fast approaching, concerns about the unpredictable nature of big-money bids and their impact on the sport’s integrity remain at the forefront. Several high-profile players in the past, such as Yuvraj Singh, Chris Morris, and Ben Stokes, have failed to justify their astronomical auction prices with on-field performances, highlighting the inherent gamble in such business practices. The need for a more transparent and regulated framework for online gaming and sports auctions is becoming increasingly urgent as the industry expands.
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