Telangana: Gambling dens on rise in Asifabad, Mancherial

Gambling dens that offer luxury ambience and assure secrecy are on the rise in Kumram Bheem Asifabad and Mancherial districts

Kumram Bheem Asifabad/Mancherial: Gambling dens that offer luxury ambience and assure secrecy are on the rise in Kumram Bheem Asifabad and Mancherial districts, though the ‘entry fee’ is quite high.

Gambling and betting is prohibited in Telangana, though it is allowed in the neighbouring Maharashtra. Though some used to visit the neighbouring State earlier, now they are heading to multi-storied apartments and luxurious houses here on weekends and holidays. Certain persons are operating these luxury gambling dens to make a fast buck in several parts of Adilabad, Mancherial, Kumram Bheem Asifabad and Nirmal districts.

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“One has to pay between Rs 3,000 and Rs 5,000 per to gain entry into these spots, where apart from gambling facilities, they are offered drinks and food. You are served premium liquor plus non-vegetarian snacks. You don’t need to spend on travelling and can save time,” a source told ‘Telangana Today’.

There are allegations that the persons of these activities are operating without hinderance after bribing the police, who are drawing flak for failing to curb the menace. There are reports that a realtor and an owner of a fertilizer outlet of Kagazhnagar operate the gambling dens, while some government teachers are said to be organising these in Reddy Colony and other parts of Mancherial district centre.

The activity was exposed when videos and photographs were leaked and widely shared on social media platforms. However, no cases were registered and no action was taken against the offenders because none lodged a complaint with police.