Matka ruins lives in Haveri as women sell mangalsutra to repay debts | Hubballi News

Haveri: The unregulated matka gambling continues to spread rampantly, compelling women to part with their mangalsutras, while authorities appear passive. Illegal betting activities persist unchecked across several taluks, including Ranebennur’s Kumarapattana, Halageri, Haveri, Byadagi, Hirekerur, and Rattihalli. This unlawful practice is affecting young men and labourers, creating substantial hardship for their families.Betting activities proceed unhindered in rural areas of Haveri, Guttal station, Rattihalli, and Hirekerur, with law enforcement merely registering occasional cases without proper follow-through. Organisers have adopted WhatsApp for their betting operations. This technological shift has drawn increased participation from village youth and workers. The police force’s perceived lack of action is concerning.Betting handlers accept wagers via WhatsApp exclusively from recognised contacts. They refuse communications from unfamiliar numbers, requiring bettors to place wagers in person. Women in villages have been experiencing severe hardships due to this betting. They report their spouses skipping work and spending agricultural income for betting. Families struggle to afford essentials as men dispose of household items to sustain their betting habits.Multiple households risk losing their homes because of this operation. Citizens are requesting police intervention to halt these activities. After allegations regarding a Goa bookie’s activities last year, many residents of Haveri, Ranebennur, Kumarapattana, and Halageri have turned into bookmakers, working through agents. Some suggest police complicity, with claims of financial settlements to suppress complaints.“Previously, the matka racket was not so prevalent in our area. However, for the past three months, locals have started playing matka, and so many have been following it. Some men are not even sparing the money kept aisde for buying groceries for their families. The police and local representatives must take action and curb this,” demanded Kamalavva Karjagi, a resident of Hosaritti in Haveri taluk.Another woman from Yalagacch village expressed her disappointment over the matka gambling menace. She said every night her husband comes home late because he invested money in matka gambling. Lakhs of rupees were lost by her husband on Matka, she added. “Police should curb this menace immediately and save rural families from this illegal betting,” she demanded.Attempts to reach Yashodha Vantagudi, the superintendent of police, Haveri, were unsuccessful.