Vidushpat is amongst one of the most well-known and leading Sports & Gaming lawyers in India. Amongst many, his accolades include being ranked as ‘Forbes Top 100 lawyer’ and ‘Business World 40 under 40’. He has been acknowledged worldwide for his advisory and consulting expertise on sport governance, betting and gambling laws, league formation and rights structuring, FEMA, and Foreign Direct Investment, related commercial transactions as well as anti-doping disputes. He has been instrumental in drafting laws and policies pertaining to the niche of sports and gaming across various jurisdictions such as the ‘National Sports Development Bill,’ ‘National Sports Fraud Bill,’ ‘The National Anti-Doping Act 2022’ amongst others.
Vidushpat has authored several publications, including the title on “Law & Sports in India,” with Hon’ble Mr. Justice (Retired) Mukul Mudgal, which is a leading reference work for sports in India. Vidushpat has represented and continues to represent leading organizations and sportspersons before courts, Court of Arbitration for Sports, Arbitral Tribunals and Anti-Doping Authorities.
Vidushpat’s expertise and experience hails from his past memberships and contributions at:
(a). British Association of Sport and Law.
(b). Secretary- Indian Premier League Probe Committee.
(c). FICCI National Sports Committee.
(d). Drafting Committee for National Sports Development Bill, National Sports Fraud Bill, and Anti-Doping Act.
(e). Membership at Independent Appeals Panel appointed by World Sailing, along with QC David Hunt (Blackstone Chambers) and Ms. Venetia Bennett (Counsel, K&L Gates, Australia). We rendered an award on the eligibility of its former President.
(f). International Association of Sports Lawyers.
(g). International Association of Gaming Advisors.
(h). All India Council of Sports.
(i). Sports Authority of India.
(j). ASSOCHAM’s Sports Committee.
Currently, Vidushpat continues to contribute to sports and gaming in India by virtue of his memberships and contributions via:
(a). Election Oversight Panel, World Athletics.
(b). Gaming and Leisure Group of UK-India Business Council.
(c). Regulatory Commission of the Indian Super League.
(d). FICCI National Sports Committee.
(e). Sportscom’s Managing Committee.
(f). Legal Committee, All India Gaming Federation.
(g). Legal Committee, Federation of Indian Fantasy Sports.
(h). Board Member of the E-Gaming Federation.
Vidushpat advises on issues pertaining to betting and gambling laws, sport governance, league formulation and rights structuring, government policies, TV and broadcasting rights, sponsorship and merchandizing contracts, tendering procedure, anti-doping, ticketing, venue hire and brand protection. He has advised sports leagues on regulations, turf authority of India on totes and tax representations and a number of companies offering poker, fantasy sports, casual gaming and rummy services on betting and gambling laws, corporate structuring, FEMA issues, payments systems and dispute resolution. He advises lottery and casino operators on legal issues pertaining to different facets of their businesses.
Vidushpat has represented the Commonwealth Games Federation, Athletic Federation of India and several Indian medallists before Court of Arbitration for Sports, renowned cricketers before the BCCI’s Anti-Doping Panel and a number of sportspersons before the National Anti-Doping Panels. The tally of anti-doping cases handled exceeds 100 cases. Vidushpat is the Co-author of the book, ‘Law and Sports in India’ and continues to write articles for LawInSport, Gambling Law Review, Mondaq, International Sports Law Journal, World Sports Law Report, online sports portals and various national dailies. He was involved in drafting the National Sports Development Bill and the Prevention of Sporting Fraud Bill for Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports. He has assisted the Justice Mudgal Doping Probe Committee, the National Sports Development Code Committee and Asian Football Confederation’s Governance Task Force. Vidushpat assisted Justice Nageswara Rao in drafting the Indian Olympic Association’s constitution and facilitated the election process for the Executive Council and the Athletes Commission of the Indian Olympic Association. Vidushpat was a member of the committee established by the Ministry of HRD considering the integration of sports within the higher education system. He also advised on the Right to Play Bill (Haryana), Slum Dwellers Model Act and the Rickshaw Pullers Act.
Email : vidushpat@kridalegal.com
