A massive sweep of gambling activities in India has led to 500 poker rooms in Bengaluru, Karnataka being shut down. The Bangalore Mirror media outlet first reported on the police action, indicating that it had begun at the beginning of this month. It added that, so far, 10,000 people could be out of jobs. The move was an attempt by police to bring a halt to illegal activity within the capital city.

The raids didn’t occur due to illegal games taking place in the establishments. Commission of Police Alok Kumar indicated to the media outlet that it was, rather, an attempt to thwart criminal activity and brawls that have become synonymous with the games.

Poker wasn’t identified as the main reason for the action. In fact, the police have taken their cue from the Karnataka High Court, which believes that poker is a game of skill. That decision came following successful arguments led by the Indian Poker Association, which had petitioned the courts to identify poker as a game of skill.

The high court’s decision, while not considered law, paved the way for poker to become acceptable in the region. However, many argue that the poker clubs have become nothing more than havens for criminal gangs. This has been countered by a number of club owners, who questioned why only certain clubs were targeted. He asserted, “We only conduct Rummy games and no Teen Patti or Andar-Bahar games are conducted in the clubs. Rummy games are played by the members at all the big clubs like Bowring Institute and Bangalore Club too. Why target only our clubs.”