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Read Full BioResidents of Kuntoji, a village in Karnataka, India, have decided that anyone who is found to be gambling illegally will face a public slapping. After being physically slapped, offenders will also be slapped with a fine of Rs 25,000 ($277).
Kuntoji has a population of around 1,500, and decided on the punishments after another village, Telangana, implemented similar measures in 2018. In addition to slapping gamblers, residents will also dish out the same punishment to anyone who chews tobacco or drinks alcohol.
The New Indian Express reported that the villagers made the decision in a public meeting at a local temple. The measures have been taken as residents noted that family conflicts, financial difficulties, and debt have increased due to gambling, alcohol, and drug problems.
Kuntoji is part of the Gangavathi municipality, which consists of 38 self-governing villages. An official from the wider district said they had heard about the new punishments in the village, but had not yet received official confirmation. They added, “We will look into it. This is a good decision.”
A local resident was similarly positive about the strict rules, stating, “This is a good initiative and this should become a role model for others too.”
Gambling Popular Despite Strict Rules
Popular forms of gambling include card games and matka, a form of betting that was originally connected to the opening and closing rates of cotton.
Gamblers used to bet on the figure transmitted to the Bombay Cotton Exchange from the New York Cotton Exchange, via teleprinters. New York stopped the practice in the 1960s, prompting gamblers to seek alternative ways to bet on random numbers.
As an alternative, numbers would be written on pieces of paper and put into a matka, a large pot. One person would then draw the winning numbers, similar to a game of bingo.
Police frequently arrest individuals who continue to engage in the practice. A man was allegedly beaten to death by officers in September last year, following a raid at a gambling den in Andhra Pradesh.
In addition to playing matka or cards, gamblers also wager on animal fights, including cockfighting and even sheep fighting. In September last year, 75 individuals were arrested in a raid on a farm where rams were being forced to fight each other.
India Clamps Down on Online Gambling
The spread of the internet has led many to gamble online instead. However, India has clamped down on digital gambling recently, with the country passing a bill that banned all forms of online real-money gaming.
Companies have challenged the new regulations, which prohibit skill games such as poker, rummy, and fantasy sports. These games were previously allowed in many districts, but games of chance are strictly forbidden.
A23, a poker and rummy platform, filed a petition in the Karnataka court against the new law. The company argues that games of skill have long been distinguished from games of chance and should remain legal.
Prime Minister Modi says he wants to banish all forms of gambling from the country while promoting free-to-play gaming. As part of the bill banning real-money gaming, the country is also promoting esports and investing in game development.
