Kathmandu, March 27

Police have arrested 208 gamblers from different places of Kathmandu as part of crackdown on gambling, which is punishable under the existing laws, since February 13.

SSP Bishwa Raj Pokharel, in-charge at Metropolitan Police Range, Kathmandu, said plainclothes cops raided as many as 24 gambling berths and arrested 208 persons with gambling material, including kauda  (a game played with 16 sea shells), playing cards and around Rs 2.68 million collectively. He informed that over 150 cops were mobilised to ensure strict monitoring of gambling dens and take immediate action.

“Gambling and crimes are interlinked as gamblers are more likely to commit crimes and use family property to satiate their addiction to gambling. Crimes are also likely to occur at gambling venues over betting. It is also one of many reasons of domestic violence. Therefore, we have prioritised closing down gambling dens,” he warned.

Retired government employees, businesspersons and contractors top the chart of gamblers. All the gamblers were booked under the Gambling Act, 1963, which officials say is not tough enough to deter seasoned gamblers and operators of gambling dens as they easily get off the hook by paying a meagre fine of Rs 200 for the first instance and four-day police detention.

After police intensified vigil on casinos to curb the entry of Nepali gamblers there, the number of people visiting casinos has decreased. However, casino frequenters have started covertly operating gambling dens in hotels, restaurants and houses, according to police. Recently, many houses, pubs, bars, hotels and restaurants, and street corners are turning into gambling sites.