IPL is den of gambling: Yashwant Sinha

The Indian Premier League (IPL) is a den of gambling, BJP leader Yashwant Sinha said Thursday and pressed for a detailed inquiry into the spot fixing in the tournament.

"IPL is nothing but a den of gambling. There is less cricket and more of gambling in the IPL. The spot fixing or match fixing does not appear to be confined to a few players or bookies. It appears to be a widespread net," Sinha said, adding that such incidents had taken place in previous years too.

In his view, IPL matches had changed the character of the game of cricket.

"What is required is a detailed inquiry into who all are involved in match fixing. Who are responsible for reducing the game of cricket to a den of gambling; action should be taken under the law against all these people ... however mighty or glamorous they may be. They must be brought to book and they should be brought to justice," Sinha told a news channel here.

Talking about banning the IPL, Sinha said: "For the time being, the Supreme Court has not agreed to ban the IPL. I reserve my comment."

Slamming the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), he said: "Obviously BCCI consists of a large number of eminent people, including ministers of the government. BCCI had failed to regulate IPL in the manner in which it should have been regulated."

He said there was no need for new laws.

"There are already enough laws in this country... the question is proper enforcement. For every new situation, we shouldn't think of a new law. But I'm not arguing on that point. Let them bring a new law against betting and match fixing, which will apply not only to cricket but to other sports also."

At least 18 people -- three IPL players, four former players and 11 bookies and their assistants -- have been arrested by Delhi Police since May 16 in connection with spot fixing in IPL matches this season. There have been arrests in Mumbai as well.