42 persons arrested near Calangute beach for Gambling

In Goa, casino culture is a big part of the thriving tourist industry. Not only outsiders but many locals are invested in it as well. Despite the easing of lockdown, hotels and casino owners in Goa still wait for their industry to open up. In a major gambling raid conducted at Calangute beach, 42 persons were arrested and INR 10 lakh was seized from the site.

North Goa district police conducted the raid, based on a tip-off that a number of people are involved in gambling with chips worth INR 1,000 each. Under the supervision of Utkrisht Prasoon, Superintendent of North Police, the team raided and arrested 42 tourists from Hotel Karishma Grande at Gaurawaddo, Calangute. Along with the accused, the police seized INR 10 Lakh, 57 mobile phones, 5739 chips and two card swipe machines.

Police Inspector Nolasco Raposo mentioned that the apprehended were tourists residing mainly from Gujarat, Maharashtra and Delhi. They will be booked under the provisions of Sections 3 and 4 of the Goa, Daman and Diu Gambling Act.

42 persons arrested near Calangute beach allegedly for Gambling

Two rooms on the fifth floor of the hotel were used to conduct gambling activities. Raposo further added, “Police will be writing a letter to the Tourism Department and the local Panchayat for taking appropriate action against the hotel owner for letting his premises to be used for the gambling activity.” Further investigation is underway.

A few days ago, a similar raid was conducted at a resort in lonavala, located off Pune-Mumbai Highway. The police arrested 72 persons involved in gambling. A total of INR 3.4 Lakhs and gambling chips of face value INR 40 Lakhs were seized from the resort. The Maharashtra state government has allowed hoteliers to book 33% of their total capacity under Mission Begin Again.

The easing down of lockdown could have been one of the reasons for the people to be involved in gambling across the country. For more stories on the same from across the country, keep reading GutshotMagazine.com