Raj Kundra has just been suspended from Rajasthan Royals on allegations of gambling, while further investigations into the matter are conducted. But before that happened, Shah Rukh Khan came out in an interview to speak about the matter, saying that Raj is a friend and bookies should not be believed the moment they take a name. (Though the Delhi Police commissioner says that Kundra admitted to the betting.) However, Shah Rukh also goes on to speak harshly about betting, saying that team owners should not indulge in these practices.
Shah Rukh Khan says:
As a team owner, I don’t appreciate what’s happening. As a proud person and a sports lover, I think if you are on the game, apni film ki ticket black nahin karna chaiye. Hum toh nahi bechenge, kisi aur ko karna hai toh karne de. I think as a team owner one should not indulge in all these practices even if you are a betting person by nature. If you’re an owner, you’re aware of all the rules and the loopholes and it’s undignified to misuse them.
According to the HT report, he further goes on to say:
I’m Islamic about a few things. I’ve never taken illegal money or interest, or as we call it haram ka paisa. I have never loaned out money as a business. I am very clear about it. I would never indulge in something like this. Betting is a disgusting habit.