Demonetisation has hit almost every sector, but one area that has remained untouched and has rather flourished is the gambling dens.
In the licensed clubs where the 13-card game is legally permitted, the gamblers find it an opportunity to exchange their old Rs. 500 and Rs. 1,000 notes, which are no longer legal tenders.
And it is learnt that the stakes are running high, as they are in a hurry to exchange or get rid of their old currencies.
In each of these clubs there are in-house private financiers who are code-named as ‘bankers’.
The gamblers play with old notes and if they win they are paid back in new notes.
It is the responsibility of the ‘banker’ to get the old notes exchanged for the new ones.
And each of the bankers have links with banks or petrol bunks to get them exchanged, according to the ACP of the City Task Force (CTF) I. Chittibabu.
Coming to the unorganised sector of gambling, the entire system has moved to the city outskirts and away from the purview of city police.
Network to change money
Farmhouses have become the venue and stakes are being played in old currency. According to a police officer, the organisers of the gambling dens have established a network with petrol bunks to get the money exchanged.
But according to Mr. Chittibabu, the rise in gambling activity will continue till the fourth week of December, because after that no one can exchange the notes, including petrol bunk owners.
Last year, in the month of November, the CTF cracked nine cases and arrested 38 persons, and this year seven cases were recorded and 25 persons were arrested.
The slight drop this year is because the gamblers have shifted their den to the rural areas, according to Mr. Chittibabu.