Make a decision on license to BTC by June 4: HC to govt

Bengaluru, NT Bureau: The Karnataka High Court on Thursday directed the state government to take a decision on or before June 4 on granting the Bangalore Turf Club (BTC) the license to conduct horse races for 2024-25.

A vacation bench headed by Justice M G S Kamal, issued the directive on the basis of the petitions filed by BTC, the Karnataka Racehorse Owners’ Association and the trainers association.

The Advocate General said that the gover nment will not be able to grant licenses at this juncture, for the races slated to happen on May 25 and 26.

He stated that the government will take a decision within a fortnight. The BTC obtains betting licenses from the government for both betting on and off the course. The bench directed the government to hear the representatives of BTC before taking the final decision.

The AG told the court that the government held a two hour long discussion on Tuesday whether to grant the license. It said that it needed time in discussing crucial elements before making a decision.

However, Senior Advocate Sriranga S, appearing for BTC, claimed that the delay in granting license has cost the livelihood of those depending on these bets. The BTC also cancelled 27 licenses of those who were allegedly evading tax in crores and collecting bet amounts illegally.

The government is also aware of this, as four of the 10 member board are appointed by them. The BTC complained that the government had sat on its request to grant the license for 2024-25 since April.