Indian state of Sikkim to ban locals from betting shops

The Indian state of Sikkim will ban local residents from accessing sports betting shops run by Golden Gaming International following a ruckus in a public market.

Earlier this week, an anti-gambling activist vandalized a booth that Golden Gaming had set up in a market in Sikkim’s capital Gangtok. Channeling Jesus Christ dismantling the temple’s moneylending operations, Noel Sharma tore Golden Gaming’s booth to shreds before police could clap him in irons.

Sharma’s ire was reportedly sparked by his belief that Golden Gaming was illegally promoting betting on the 2018 FIFA World Cup. Golden Gaming was running a darts game featuring a spinning wheel emblazoned with the flags of World Cup countries. Participants were given Rs1k (US$15) coupons that could be used at Golden Gaming’s licensed gaming parlors in the state.

On Thursday, Glaws.in reported that Sikkim’s Chief Minister Kumar Chamling had announced the state government would ban local residents from accessing Golden Gaming’s betting shops. If locals are found gambling in the shops, Chamling warned that the state would revoke Golden Gaming’s operating license.