Monday, July 06, 2009

RWITC chases away illegal bookies

Photo of an off-course betting shop abroad. Look at the comfy ambience. Contrast this with our OCBC's and you can tell what our clubs need to do next after chasing away the illegal bookmakers.

In an unprecedented move, the security staff of the Royal Western India Turf Club (RWITC) conducted a joint operation with the Social Service Cell of Borivali Police, and rounded up nine illegal bookmakers and 14 of their clients on Saturday (July 4) during a raid conducted outside the club's betting center at Borivali. The accused were caught red-handed while accepting bets on horses running at Bangalore on Saturday.

All 23, arrested and charged under the Gambling Act, were produced in Bandra court on Sunday, before being remanded to police custody until Monday, July 6.

"We had a tip off that illegal bookmakers were operating in the Jaya theater compound in Borivali outside our OCBC (Off Course Betting Center) and taking away a chunk of our legitimate business," an RWITC security spokesperson told me, "we solicited help from the Social Service Cell of police and conducted joint raids."

The spokesman also added that complete secrecy was observed while conducting the raid, with only the secretary and deputy secretary of the club knowing about it.

I checked the veracity of that claim and found it to be true. Even Vivek Jain, chairman of stewards and head of the club's marketing committee, was surprised when I broke the news to him. "This is news to me," said a surprised Jain, "I am not aware of this. But if the illegal chaps have been chased away, that's a step in the right direction. I am happy our people have done a good job."

12 comments:

  1. p.gosavi,

    the bookies themselves collect half tax and conduct business in all race clubs.they have to be arrested.

    have you ever placed a bet at half tax ?? 100 % of owners do betting with outside booky.this is also illegal.

    i do betting on mumbai tote only.but rwitc tote is very bad with regard to dividend payout.

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  2. Why is the name of rwitc spokperson not mentioned?

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  3. why only outside illegal betting. watch chennai race course. almost all the bookmakers will collect the bets at half tax by just writing their names. illegal betting is at rampant at chennai race course.

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  4. Dear Chakravyuhabhedak,
    I think the culpability for illegal betting lies 'zero' with the punter, 'somewhat' with the club, and 'major'ly with the government.

    By charging exorbitant betting tax (and topping it with TDS), the government is giving only two options to the putner: Either be a a fool or a cheat. No wonder he is choosing the latter.

    Dear Viraj,
    Although an official of RWITC, the source has requested anonymity. I have just honoured the request.

    Dear Anonymous,
    Illegal betting is rampant at ALL the racecourses for the above-mentioned reason.

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  5. the bane cannot be curtailed, either the govt has to come with better tax rules, or clubs should be more vigilant.

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  6. in mysore and bangalore the blatant use of cellphones and illegal bookies contribute more and we can find more persons from outstation doing business which all emanates to illegal betting, but even the authorities have closed eyes to all this.inspite of increasing the stall fees the bookies are flouting rules more easily than before.

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  7. Hi,

    Is it mere coincidence that even Security wing of HRC conducted raids on sunday in Bookmakers ring and rounded of illegal bookmakers who accept bets.

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  8. Mr Gosavi why have you not answered chakra's other question....have you ever placed a bet at half tax??

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  9. Dear Vinodvyas,
    Thanks for sharing the news about HRC.

    Dear Anonymous,
    I won't answer that question. I am "NOT a fool":)

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  10. My request to Anonymous posters once again. Please take up SOME name. Thanks.

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  11. Dear All Race Punters,

    Since the issue of ILLEGAL bets have arised, i would like to make following request.
    1)Since everyone(Punters, club authorities,Govt. officials) knows that this issue is rampant at all centers, and the ROOT cause is the HIGH TAXATION in all the states,why this issue is not made the PRIME issue when negotiating with the powers of the state govts?
    2)We have seen the benefits of LIBERELISATION at national level in last decade,when the worlds biggest economies were suffering due to current turmoil in world financial markets,its downward ill-effects were felt marginally in INDIA.One of the contributing factor was that India was placed better in terms of its large foreign exchange reserve.And this has happened only after India converted from License Raj To free market economy.
    3) Govt.reduced taxes at all levels & the net effect in the long run was healthy Tax collection & strong economy.
    4) The same principle SHOULD be applied to Tax Structure in Racing states & I am sure that the Tax collections will be more than what the states are collecting today.
    5)In the end effect, the punters will not mind paying official tax & will not resort to being CHEATS.
    6) THROUGH,THIS FORUM I REQUEST ALL THOSE WHO LOVE THE KING OF SPORTS TO COME FORWARD & RAISE THEIR VOICE FOR REDUCTION IN TAX STRUCTURE & COME ON ONE PLATFORM TO PRESSURISE THE STATE GOVTS. TO CONSIDER THIS VERY IMPORTANT ISSUE.

    AMEN

    SMART ALEC

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  12. Just pure buncombe.... this has been going on for years.Not only the local police but the security staff at RWITC are well soaped in this regard.Everthing will get back to normal in ten days.

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A sincere appeal by Prakash Gosavi, blog owner