In a move that has sent shockwaves through the corridors of India's turf clubs, the Central Government on Wednesday passed the Online Gaming Promotion & Regulation Bill, effectively blurring the lines between games of skill and games of luck. For the sport of horse racing, which has long prided itself on being a cerebral pursuit rather than a roll of the dice, this legislation could well be the final nail in the coffin.

Game of skill

The wheel has turned a full circle since 1996 when the Supreme Court, in a landmark judgment penned by Justice Kuldeep Singh, unequivocally declared horse racing a "game of skill" (Dr KR Lakshmanan vs the State of Tamil Nadu). The court drew a clear distinction: unlike lotteries or card games reliant on chance, racing demands knowledge of form, pedigree, track conditions, horse trainer skill and jockey prowess. This verdict became the bedrock on which turf administrators across the country fought tooth and nail against regulatory overreach, as this "skill" plank was regularly invoked in courts to safeguard the sport's uniqueness, integrity and legality. 

Livelihoods at stake

Horse racing isn't some fringe pastime; it's a full-fledged industry employing lakhs of skilled workers--from breeders to their skilled staff at the farm to trainers and jockeys to farriers to stable hands and veterinarians--even the ancillary sectors like fodder suppliers and transport--all now hang by a thread. Will horses and racing survive? Unlikely, because with this bill even recourse to judiciary is rendered futile. With attendance already dwindling due to insanely high taxation and digital distractions, this bill may trigger mass layoffs and farm closures.