Demonetization stifles gambling activity in Surat

SURAT: A few major gambling dens in the city have

stopped functioning

due to shortage of cash after the government scrapped Rs500 and Rs1,000 denomination notes. The operators of these gambling dens decided to close down since gamblers had stopped coming there so as to save the cash in their hands. Gambling den operators initially distributed notes of smaller denominations to their clients, but it was not enough to keep the business going.

Residents in the northern part of the city were surprised to find the gambling den near their houses not functioning. People were curious to know the reason because they had not seen any police action. They inquired from some people known to the operator of the gambling den and were told that gamblers had stopped coming there since the past few days, leading to shut down of the illegal business.

Gamblers mostly gamble with Rs500 and Rs1,000 currency notes which were demonetized on November 8. This has created a cash crunch and now no one is ready to give away the currency of smaller denominations that they have.

"We were surprised to see the

gambling activity

stop suddenly. Earlier within a few hours of a raid by police, gambling activity would resume at the den. However, what has happened is without any police action," said a resident in Rander.

A gambling den has stopped functioning in Bhestan too. Some people, who were preparing to start a gambling den in Mahidharpura, have dropped the plan.

Sources close to gambling operators said they have chosen to go on vacation and plan to restart their operations from December.