Gambling rife in Koraput in festive season

Incidences of illegal betting games are on the rise at Jeypore in Odisha's Koraput district in this festive season keeping police on their toes.
The illegal activity peaks during Dusshera and Diwali and even street corners in the town turn into gambling dens. Gambling during the festive period, specially Kumar Purnima is considered a ritual.
The games include dice and cards and while some indulge in gambling to make merry, others do it to earn a fast buck. The stakes go up to lakhs of rupees and some people even save through the year to spend on a game of cards.

"Jeypore being the business hub of Koraput, Malkangiri and Nabarangpur districts, there is an increase in gambling during this period every year due to huge monetary transactions," said Dilip Biswal, a Jeypore resident.
Even school kids and homemakers take to the 'ritual' and there have been instances when gamblers lost their savings, land and even homes.
Police have intensified raids on gambling dens in and around Jeypore. "In past one week we have arrested a dozen people and recovered thousands of rupees from them. Raids on gambling dens will continue," said Inspector in-charge of Jeypore police station Tapan Kumar Rath.

"We are keeping a strict vigil on the activities," he added.
It is difficult to completely contain the illegal practice during this season as people in the name of tradition give money to their children to lay bets at their or their friends' houses, a senior police officer said.