Banished from the IPL, Raj Kundra starts Indian Poker League

On Tuesday, Raj Kundra launched a league based Poker series with an intent to change the perception of the sport in India. The tournament, which will feature eight franchises, will take place in Mumbai on 14 and 15 October. The winning team “will represent Team India in the World Cup”, according to an entry in the league’s official website. It has the official sanction as well as the support of both the International Federation of Poker, as well as the Indian Federation of Poker.

Nearly two years back, Kundra, who was the co-owner of the Rajasthan Royals franchise in the Indian Premier League was banished from all operations by the Supreme Court-appointed Lodha committee for indulging in betting in the IPL. “As part owner having 11.7 per cent of the franchise, Kundra should have conducted himself in accordance of his stature. Betting is a crime punishable in India and it is corrupt practice against BCCI constitution. It is difficult to accept that as an UK citizen, he did not know that betting was against the law in India,” Justice RM Lodha had observed after the verdict was passed on Kundra regarding his betting links to the 2013 IPL scandal.

Set to change the perception

Speaking to Mid-day, Kundra said “Through this league, we want to change the perception (that) it’s just gaming and gambling. We are confident that with this new league, we will succeed in attracting more and more youngsters to the sport,” Kundra said at the event, which was also attended by Shetty as well as International Federation of Poker (IFP) chief Patrick Nally.

“This is an ideal opportunity to put India on the global poker map. The winning team here will play as Team India at the World Cup,” Kundra was quoted as saying according to a report in the Indian Express. Apart from venturing into the IPL, Kundra has also invested in the Super Fight League.