Contact
Get In Touch
Author
Abdul Azeem
LLB (Hons) LLM
Gambling in Pakistan
Pakistan is an Islamic state. In Sharia, gambling is considered haram (forbidden) and thus is illegal in Pakistan. However, gambling has become a huge business in Pakistan. The illegal gambling industry has exploded over the past few decades and is now a multi-billion dollar industry. Even though it is prohibited by law, many Pakistani citizens gamble regularly.
In Pakistan, gambling is regulated by the Gambling Ordinance of 1977. This Ordinance prohibits gambling in all forms, except for horse racing and certain lotteries. The purpose of this Ordinance is to prevent gambling from becoming a source of crime or disorder or being used as a means of funding criminal activities.
Gambling is defined as any game of chance or any activity that involves the risking of money or other valuable items to win a prize. Horse racing and certain lotteries are exempted from this definition.
Laws Related to Gambling in Pakistan
Gambling is illegal in Pakistan. There are no casinos or racetracks, and online gambling is also not allowed. The main laws governing gambling in Pakistan are the Public Gambling Act of 1867 and the Prevention of Gambling Houses Act of 1977. These laws make it a criminal offense to gamble in Pakistan, and anyone caught doing so can be fined or imprisoned. There have been some recent calls to legalize gambling in Pakistan, but as of now, the government has not made any changes to the existing laws.
Types of Gambling Are Prohibited in Pakistan
Gambling is prohibited in Pakistan under the law. Several different types of gambling are considered illegal, including casino games, sports betting, and lottery games. Any type of gambling that is not specifically authorized by the government is illegal.
The consequences for breaking the law can be severe, with fines and imprisonment both being possible punishments. The government has been known to raid casinos and other gambling establishments, so it is best to avoid any type of illegal gambling in Pakistan.
Efforts by Government
The government has made it clear that it will not tolerate gambling and has taken several steps to crack down on those who break the law. In recent years, several high-profile raids have been carried out on illegal casinos, resulting in the arrest of hundreds of people. The government has also proposed a new law that would see gamblers fined up to Rs. 1 million and jailed for up to seven years if caught breaking the law. The crackdown on gambling is part of the government’s wider efforts to tackle crime and corruption in Pakistan.
The Gambling Act of 1977
The Gambling Act of 1977 is a Pakistani law that regulates gambling in the country. The Act was passed by the National Assembly of Pakistan on May 12, 1977, and came into force on July 1, 1977. The Act prohibits gambling in all forms except for horse racing and lotteries.
The Act also establishes the Gambling Board of Pakistan, which is responsible for issuing licenses to horse racing clubs and lottery operators, as well as regulating and supervising horse racing and lotteries. The board is empowered to issue licenses to casinos, but no casinos have been licensed since the Act was passed.
The Act has been criticized for its lack of enforcement and for not doing enough to prevent gambling addiction. There have also been calls for the legalization of casino gambling in Pakistan, which would generate revenue for the government and create jobs.
Penalty for Gaming House Owners
Whoever owns a gaming house be it a shop, personal house, vehicle, or any such place, shall be punished with imprisonment for up to one year, not less than a month, or with a fine of up to one thousand rupees, not less than one hundred, or with both.
Penalty for Being Found in Common Gaming House
Whoever is found in any common gaming house playing or gaming with cards, dice, counters, money, or any other instruments of gaming, or for the purpose of gaming, whether for any money, wager or stake, or otherwise, shall be punishable with imprisonment which may extend to one year, or fine which may extend to five thousand rupees or with both.
Penalty for Gaming in a Public Place
Whoever is found gaming in a public place, street, or thoroughfare shall be punishable with imprisonment for a term that may extend to one year or with a fine that may extend to five hundred rupees or both.
Penalty for Gaming in a Private Place
Whoever is found gaming in any house, room, vehicle, vessel, tent, enclosure, or other places shall be punishable with imprisonment for a term that may extend to two years or with a fine that may extend to one thousand rupees or with both.
Enhanced Punishment for Subsequent Offences
whoever, having been convicted of any offense under this Act, again commits any such offense shall be punishable for every such subsequent offense with imprisonment for a term that may extend to three years or with a fine that may extend to two thousand rupees or with both.
Exceptions to the gambling Laws in Pakistan
As of now, there are no exceptions to the gambling laws in Pakistan. All forms of gambling are illegal and punishable by law. The government has shown no interest in changing these laws or creating any exceptions.
This means that anyone caught gambling in Pakistan can be fined, jailed, or both. The severity of the punishment depends on the amount of money involved in the gambling activity.
The only way to gamble legally in Pakistan is to participate in foreign lottery draws like the UK National Lottery. But even then, the winnings must be declared to the Pakistani government and taxes will be applied.
What Does the Future Hold for Gambling in Pakistan?
Pakistan’s gambling laws are currently very restrictive, with only a handful of legal ways to gamble. However, the future looks bright for gambling in Pakistan. The government may consider legalizing online gambling, and if this happens, it would open up a whole new world of opportunities for gamblers in Pakistan.
Currently, the only legal way to gamble in Pakistan is through the state-run Pakistan National Lottery. This lottery is not without its problems, however, as it has been criticized for being poorly run and having low payouts. If online gambling is legalized in Pakistan, it would provide a much-needed boost to the country’s gambling industry.
There are many reasons why online gambling should be legalized in Pakistan. For one, it would provide a much-needed revenue stream for the government. Additionally, it would create jobs and help boost the economy. It would also provide Pakistanis with more entertainment options and better opportunities for entertainment. Online gambling will also help popularize online casino games in Pakistan, which will drive up demand for computers, laptops, and other internet-related products.
Horse Race Betting
Horse racing is a popular form of gambling in Pakistan. There are many horse racing tracks across the country, and betting on horse races is a common practice. There are some laws governing gambling on horse races, but these laws are not always enforced. Horse race betting is considered to be a risky form of gambling, but it can be extremely exciting and lucrative if you know what you are doing. If you are thinking about betting on horse races, it is important to understand the odds and the risks involved.
There are two main race tracks in Pakistan; the Racecourse, in Lahore, and the M.A. Aziz Race Course in Karachi. The racecourse at Lahore has a capacity of 30,000 people, while the one in Karachi can accommodate up to 15,000 people.
There are several different types of bets you can make when betting on horse racing. The most popular types of bets are win, place, and show. A win bet is a straight-up bet that the horse will win the race. A place bet is a bet that the horse will finish in the top two places. A show bet is a straight-up bet that the horse will finish first or second. If the horse is a favorite to win the race, you will receive higher odds than if they were an underdog.
Cricket Betting and Match Fixing
In Pakistan, cricket betting and match-fixing are both illegal and punishable by law. However, this does not stop people from engaging in these activities. Cricket betting is a popular form of gambling in Pakistan, as it is a way to make quick and easy money. Match fixing is also common, as it allows bettors to make even more money. The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) does its best to prevent these activities, but match-fixing still occurs.
The above are just a few of the betting options available on cricket matches.
It is not uncommon for a single match to have over 3 different bets available. The more popular the game, the more bets will be available. It is important to note that cricket betting can be very addictive and dangerous.
Despite the risks, cricket betting and match-fixing continue to be popular in Pakistan. This is because there is a lot of money to be made from these activities. If you are caught engaging in either of these activities, you could be fined or even sent to jail.
Gambling at Gaming Houses
Gambling at gaming houses is illegal in Pakistan. The punishment for gambling at a gaming house is imprisonment for a term which may extend to three months, or with a fine which may extend to five thousand rupees, or with both. A gaming house is defined as any place where gambling takes place, whether or not in the presence of the owner or occupier of the premises.
Gaming houses are found in all parts of Pakistan, from the bustling streets of Karachi to the more rural areas of Punjab and Sindh. They come in all shapes and sizes, from small shops set up in back alleys to large purpose-built buildings. Gaming houses cater to all types of gamblers, from those who bet on sports games to those who play casino-style games such as poker and blackjack. Gaming houses have also been found to be used by terrorists and criminal organizations to launder money. The Pakistani government has enacted several laws in an effort to regulate and control the gaming industry, with limited success.
The first law was the Gaming Act of 1961, which was amended in 1962.
The Act provided the legal framework for gaming houses to operate, and allowed profits from such operations to be taxed. The Public Gambling Act of 1961 made it illegal for a person under 21 years old to enter a gaming house, except as an employee. The Gaming Act of 1961 was replaced by the Gaming Act of 1962, which made it illegal for anyone to knowingly permit a child under the age of 18 years to enter a gaming house. Despite the risks involved, many people continue to gamble at gaming houses.
Conclusion
Despite the lack of clear regulation, gambling is still a popular pastime in Pakistan. Cricket betting is especially common, with many people placing bets on matches both within the country and internationally. There are also a number of illegal casinos operating in Pakistan, which cater to both local and international clientele.
Given the popularity of gambling in Pakistan, it is likely that the government will eventually move to legalize and tax the activity. This would provide much-needed revenue for the cash-strapped government and help to create jobs and boost economic activity.
How to Get in Touch with Our Online Lawyers in Pakistan
Our panel of skilled Lawyers in Pakistan can offer personalized advice and robust legal solutions.
- AI Legal Site: For general information, visit 24Justice.com – Pakistan’s First Legal AI Site.
- Personalized Assistance: For more specific queries or legal representation, reach out to us:
- Call: 92 308 5510031
- WhatsApp: 0092 308 5510031
- Contact Form: Prefer writing? Fill out our contact form below, and we’ll respond promptly.
We Help You Solve Your Legal Issues
At 24Justice, we believe that everyone deserves access to justice, and we are committed to making that belief a reality. Choose 24Justice, and take the first step towards navigating your legal journey with confidence and ease.