The RWITC has finally got the approval for online betting from the Maharashtra government authorities. With the pandemic throwing everything out of gear early last year, the paperwork for grant of license for resumption of racing had to go through the grind for several months. It was in July 2020 that the Club initiated the move to procure the license for racing and began all the relevant procedures to get things going. Needless to say, the task was Herculean as the government authorities had enough and more on their Plate and racing has never been at the top of the government’s priorities. Hence, to get racing back on track, albeit within closed doors, was an achievement.

The efforts of the RWITC’s managing committee led by Mr Zavaray Poonawalla were first lauded when the horses lined-up and raced in late November. Now getting government’s approval for online betting can be taken as a ‘second wave’ of success, going by the trends and terms of the times.

“We have got the required permissions for both online and on-ground betting,” RWITC chairman Zavaray Poonawalla informed on Thursday. “Hopefully, we may be able to implement it from coming Sunday itself,” he added.

Mention must also be made to acknowledge the significant time & sustained efforts put in by M/s Vijay Shirke, Milan Luthria, Dilip Thacker and NHS Mani. Each one had played a crucial role in impressing upon the authorities the need for granting the betting licence and prevailing over them under these trying times is a feat worth applauding.   

RWITC had already entered into agreement with Paytm to provide the online betting and live relay of races held at Mumbai and Pune.