Hotels turn gamblers’ den

 Tribune News Service

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Chandigarh, August 22

The busting of yet another gambling racket being run from a city hotel is testimony to the fact that hotels are being used as a safe haven for gambling.

On August 21, in a raid conducted at Hotel President in Sector 26, which is owned by former city Congress chief BB Behl, the UT police arrested five persons and recovered Rs 2.87 lakh from them. Behl said he had given the hotel on lease to someone, who was operating it for the past three years. “I am in the US and don’t operate the hotel now,” he said. 

The accused were found gambling in one of the rooms of the hotel. This was the second raid after a raid was conducted at Hotel Shivalikview in Sector 17 that led to the recovery of Rs 16.40 lakh and the arrest of 27 persons earlier.

Drive against gamblers landed 202 in police net 

The Chandigarh Police have been running a campaign against gambling in the city. According to police records, till August 21 this year, the UT police have arrested 202 persons in 80 cases registered at city police stations. The police have also recovered Rs 22,32,713 from gamblers.  

Bizmen from neighbouring states involved too 

Police investigation has revealed that those caught gambling in hotels have good money. Largely businessmen, not only from Chandigarh but also from neighbouring states, visit hotels for gambling. The organisers book a room in the hotel where they are also served food and liquor. A police official said on condition of anonymity that entering the gambling circle was not a tough task. “Gamblers are all known to each other and they further rope in their friends who are interested in gambling,” the official added.  

How gambling sessions are held

The police say hotels act as a den for gamblers, who play the game to make a quick buck. Those organising gambling sessions book hotel rooms and invite gamblers there to try their luck. Avinash Maasa, an infamous bookie and Patiala resident, was the kingpin of a gambling racket that was busted at Hotel Shivalikview. He had booked the suite for a week to hold gambling sessions. The police say city parks and public places are also used by gamblers to play the game. A few days ago, the police nabbed five persons while gambling near Hotel City Paradise in Sector 22. An amount of Rs 49,460 was recovered from them along with playing cards. 

Hotel employees hand in glove 

Gambling sessions operate from hotels round the clock, which is not possible without the involvement of the hotel staff. Six employees of Hotel Shivalikview have been indicted by the CITCO authorities in an inquiry after the gambling racket was busted at the hotel. Twenty-seven persons were allowed in a double bedroom by the hotel staff.   

CITCO issues warning   

After an inquiry indicted six employees of Hotel Shivalikview for their laxity, the  CITCO management has issued  directions  to all staff members to be more vigilant in the future or be ready to face the music in case gambling incidents were reported. The management is likely to take disciplinary action against the six employees soon.