The fourth and concluding part of S. K. Sagar`s series calls for urgent collective action by all stakeholders in Indian racing to challenge the punitive 40% GST that misclassifies the sport as a “sin industry.” Drawing on parallels with the Mahabharata, Sagar emphasizes that horse racing is a game of skill, not vice. He urges systemic reform, legalization of bookmakers, and a rational betting tax to revive the sport`s integrity and future.

I guess, a collective action by all stake holders such as Turf club owners, Stud farm owners, Horse Trainers, Horse owners, not forgetting Punters, could possibly stop this unjustified taxation policy of the Government.

I have discussed this subject with many friends in the racing circles particularly with my friend Major Srinivas Nargolkar with whom I discussed at length, and formulated our views as under:

Parallel Economy : Racing and breeding in India is influenced highly by black money and so it is difficult to make valid assumptions and to chart a path to the future.

Influence of the `Deep State`. Deep States exist in every sphere. There is reason to believe that India`s import policy as regards horses (allowed but controlled by licenses) is controlled by vested interests. So too the restriction on foreign horses racing in India. These vested interests are content for the status quo to prevail because they are aware of the advantages it offers them. They are quite capable of excelling in an "open market" but are unwilling to expose themselves to unknown factors.

Broad Policies: It looks as if the broad policies at all levels and in all spheres are decided not by what is good for the country or the sport but by what is perceived to be good for the lawmakers. The lawmakers are usually the puppets of the Deep States. Major Nargolkar agreed with my understanding of Mathematical ratios. He believes they are absolutely valid. He has attended many international conferences and such ratios are discussed, accepted, but NOT implemented. In India, the biggest problem is that a large portion of the betting rupee falls into the illegal hands. India has sufficient resources for gathering information and thwarting the designs of terrorist and similar organizations. How difficult is it for a minute part of that force to be employed in weeding out illegal bookmakers? Or legalizing all betting? I have read somewhere that if betting was legalized in India, the revenue accrued would be so much that we won`t have to pay income tax. But Governments (irrespective of the political party) do not want to eliminate illegal bookmakers because they provide the funding to the political parties. It is the same world over. I get the feeling that Brexit was not motivated by economic considerations or the `sovereignty` aspect but merely personal/financial benefits to Boris Johnson and his cronies.



Perhaps a seminar to discuss these mathematical ratios, analyze what should be done to bring them close to the required levels, might be helpful,

This article can be one of the papers for the seminar.

Horse racing is a hugely interesting and entertaining sport. It has the potential to improve tenfold in popularity, if not more.

We need to create probabilities for its success in the future. It won`t happen on its own.

So, how do we create such probabilities?

That is the question.

Here is my understanding of how it can be done.

As of September 22, 2025, India introduced a 40% GST slab for "sin" and ultra-luxury goods, consolidating the earlier rate of 28% GST with a Compensation Cess. The specific list of items in this category was confirmed at the 56th GST Council meeting. The tax hike is intended to discourage the consumption of harmful products while generating revenue for public welfare schemes.

So, it looks like Racing is considered a `SIN INDUSTRY` and the punters who gamble are Sinners and must be punished for doing the gambling .

Now. let me corelate the subject with the epic `Mahabharata`

As we all know, the Pandavas in the epic `Mahabharat` were considered as the `good human beings` whereas the Kauravas were considered `not so good`.

But, the common denominator between the Pandavas and the Kauravas was that they were all `Big Gamblers`. The trouble is that they gambled against each other, and they gambled heavily, where the losers lost everything except maybe their last shirts... The Final result - based on the ensuing cause and effect sequence of events including conflicts and wars - was comprehensively chaotic for all concerned with thousands of people including soldiers in the army losing their lives, for no fault of theirs and in the ultimate analysis there were no winners at all.

But in case of Thoroughbred horse racing the gambler is not gambling with another gambler. (I will talk separately about Gambling with the Bookmakers). Instead, the Gambler - hereinafter called the `PUNTER` - gambles against the Turf Club and the Punter is well aware of the fact that the Turf Club is never the loser, and that the racing public collectively loses an amount equal to the totalizer deduction ie the Club commission earned by the Turf Clubs being a certain percentage of the total amounts collected from the betting public.

With this understanding, the punter – even if he is an expert - understands in the long run he is expected to lose money, and he knows very well that he must exercise control on his investments. He also knows that in between there will be plenty of days at the races where he will return with a positive score. Win or lose the sheer enjoyment and the thrill of racing is what makes the racegoer keep coming to the racecourse. The entertainment potential of this sport is - at least in my view - unmatched in any other sporting event.

Racing is a game of skill and calls for a high level of intelligence. It is extremely interesting and intriguing, unlike the extremely boring `Playing with the Dice` as was done in the `Mahabharata`. No doubt, It is extremely complex, and requires Hard work to study and analyze. Needless to say, that if we do our own calculations and place the bets in accordance with our own expertise, and see our horse winning the race, it will be a different kind of thrill and enjoyment all together. “A dollar won is twice as sweet as a dollar earned,” said the famous actor Paul Newman.

On the other hand if our horse loses, there is nothing to worry, we served our nation. We are true Patriots, for, be it understood, we contributed money for the country`s good.

All I am trying to say is : It is a ``GAME OF SKILL` and it is `NOT A SIN` Period.

On the other hand, if the politicians allow illegal bookmakers to operate – in whatever way they do – and obtain funding for their parties than that in my view should be considered is a SIN and nothing other than a SIN.

So, what`s the solution? How do we go about it, such that betting with bookmakers is NOT A SIN ?

Simple .. Remove the `Illegal` tag. Change the Rules in a way that the Bookmakers can follow these rules strictly and don`t have to adopt any other way other than follow the rules as spelt out by the Turf Clubs in accordance with what the Government wants.

And what should the Government do in order to make that happen and improve the probability that horse racing continues in India, in a healthy, congenial, and positively constructive way such that everyone is happy, the Turf Club is happy, The Bookies are happy, the betting public is happy. The Industry with all the work force is happy.

Simple .. Reduce the betting tax to a reasonable 10 %.

Now I corelate all this with the `Deep State` Problem and how it should be addressed. In my books I have explained - in a comprehensive way – that there has to be a unified approach to dismantle the Deep States of the World. The World leaders must work together. There is simply no other choice. As a matter of fact, it should not be difficult to do so for the simple reason that there is no particular individual to confront with who is openly going to accept the fact that he or she is a member of the Deep State engaged in the secret manipulation or control of government policy, or of the Deep State engaged in allowing extremist ideologies to flourish, or of the Deep State of corruption at high places etc etc.

In the same way - when dealing with the Deep State involved in the control of Racing in India, it is to be realized there is no need to put the blame on individuals (such as Political leaders). It is the system that needs to be overhauled. The individuals should realize that they just happen to be part of these Deep States, but not by choice, and are willing and eager to be extricated from this mess and are very much looking forward to the day when the deep state they are working for gets dismantled.

IN CONCLUSION

In this article, I have tried to present a `SOLUTION` to the problems faced by the Racing Industry in India.

It`s a `SOLUTION` but I am afraid it is not an `EXPECTATION` consequent on my limited outreach.

It is hoped, people `WHO MATTER` in the Racing industry including authorities of the various Turf Clubs will come together in a conference, discuss and analyze in detail and endeavor to arrive at `SOLUTIONS` as `Proceedings of a conference` and then present it to the Government Authorities `WHO MATTER` for necessary action as deemed appropriate.

Elsewhere .. I am writing books on the DEEP STATES of the World, such as the Deep State responsible for conflicts and wars on the planet, so that the Military Industrial Complexes keeps flourishing in Business, the Deep State responsible for the COVID menace, the Deep State of rampant corruption at high places in several countries, and countless other DEEP STATES, and trying to find solutions .. and hoping that someday good sense will prevail.

I hope and wish the same for the Indian Racing Industry, that good sense will prevail.

I am - somewhat - optimistic of seeing good days ahead for the Indian Racing Industry, hopefully in the coming winter season.

God Bless the Horse.