Pekata Paparao's of Krishna district.

Vijayawada,Dec 29:  If one goes by the goings-on in the local lodges and private houses, one can perceive that the Police might have connived with the gamblers. Playing cards in clubs was prohibited, but the gambling is going on on a large-scale in hotels and lodges in Governorpet area in the city. Though the Police are aware of the gambling dens, they prefer to look the other way as the palms of their bosses have been greased.Largescale gambling has come to light during the raids by anti-goonda squads on lodges recently. Later, the gamblers resumed their `work' with `renewed vigour'.The regular gamblers are losing thousands of rupees daily. As if not satisfied with the games here, the punters from the city visit Bandar, Gudivada, Nuzvid and even the Godavari districts.Most of the gamblers, some of whom are the city's elite, get arrested wherever there is a raid. The Police recover lakhs of rupees from the gambling dens.

After paying their fines at the courts, the gamblers resume their `business.The Police on Monday night raided a reputed club, Cosmopolitan Club at Machilipatnam and over 58 gamblers were taken into custody. Police also recovered nearly Rs 3 lakh.Of the 58 arrested, 44 were club members and the rest were guests. The arrested include prominent citizens of vaious sectors. The raid won the appreciation of the womenfolk who suggested more such raids on the gambling dens in the district.With the Sankranti festival round the corner,gamblers may get back to cock-fights where crores of rupees change hands.