The betting trade has been going on for ages, ever since man discovered ways of short cuts. There are a quite a few bookies and punters who are earning their livelihood on the betting business.
Almost every Gujarati has a business mindset. It is not a development that has evolved, but an in-built quality. This psyche has dragged many like me into the betting circle. No complaints.
The betting trade has been going on for ages, ever since man discovered ways of short cuts. There are a quite a few bookies and punters who are earning their livelihood on the betting business. But this has been a rich man's domain. It is very much at par with the share market where the Sensex is also tampered with. The only difference is that the latter is legalised.
The quick buck associated with cricket betting is responsible for the continuous inflow of newcomers into the trade. Long time ago there were matkas, which was cracked down by the government. Cricket betting has replaced it, a perfect substitute for the punters. I must tell you it is very thrilling and challenging, because there is always the danger of losing money but then which business is risk-free?
I have lost as well as won quite a good amount of money in this circus.
If betting is legalised, then government will earn a lot of revenue. You will be surprised to know that the Indian Premier League alone every day generates a turnover of Rs500 crore across the country. Believe me, it is on par with any international match that involves India.
In Gujarat itself, the figure touches the Rs100 crore-mark.
Have you observed that almost every IPL match went down to the wire, finishing in the death overs - in the 18th over or after that. This has helped bookies to accept more bets.
Meanwhile in Ahmedabad, due to regular friction with the police officials, 'online' betting has gained popularity. The Mayanagri, Mumbai has become the epicentre of this activity as it handles most of the bets now. Mind you, there are many non-Gujaratis also in the ring but they don't like to come out in the open as we do. Cricket gambling is rampant in the northern states also.
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