The Law Commission on Friday said that reports it had proposed legalising gambling and betting were a misinterpretation of its recommendations to the Centre. The commission said it has “strongly and categorically” told the government that legalising betting and gambling is not desirable in the present scenario.

A complete ban on unlawful betting and gambling must be ensured, the commission said. However, it added, the “inability to enforce a complete ban has resulted in a rampant increase in illegal gambling”. “Since it is not possible to prevent these activities completely, effectively regulating them remains the only viable option,” the commission said.

In its clarification, the Law Commission said it has recommended “guidelines and safeguards” to the government – to be used in case legislators decide to regulate the activities.

The commission had on Thursday submitted to the Centre a report titled Legal Framework: Gambling and Sports Betting including Cricket in India. News reports said that it recommended allowing gambling and betting as taxable activities so that they can be used as a source of foreign direct investment.