Two recent news stories must provide ammunition to those gunning for gambling - land-based and online - to be regulated, controlled and taxed rather than pushed underground where only the criminal gangs benefit. Both stories have their roots in the teeming sub-continent of India and concern gambling in Kuwait and the Ukhra area of West Bengal.

Ukhra is now at the heart of the coal mining industry but before that the region was heavily forested and, being basically lawless, the home of bandits. It appears that this disregard of the law is still part of life in Ukhra and the operators of illegal gambling dens now advertise their presence and openly issue invitations to prospective gamblers. The local police have denied knowledge of such activities although the ‘gambling fete’ is organised on four days a week.

In Kuwait a new underground lottery run from Dubai is competing with two others run from India. The games are popular with Asian ex-pats, mainly domestic workers, although gambling is illegal in Kuwait. Bets are accepted over the phone from regulars and by large numbers of ‘bookies’ operating in the street and at shopping malls. Not long ago one Indian lottery was ended following the arrest of the organiser in India and Kuwaiti security authorities recently apprehended forty-four Asians for gambling.
(E-07.28.08)

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