The new ₹2,000 notes, which were released recently, helped punters indulge in big bets during the Sankranti celebrations.
Setting aside cash crunch worries, the organisers arranged playing of cards, rooster fights, “gundata” and other banned games in a big way. Temporary liquor outlets and eateries were also set up at many places.
Punters, visitors and investors brought huge amounts in ₹2,000 and ₹500 denominations without any trouble.
Participants from T.N.
In rooster fights, the stakes began at ₹25,000 and went up to ₹5 lakh. Punters made the payments at one go with big notes. Many people from Telangana, Tamil Nadu and other States participated in the sport, playing cards and other games. Many brought lakhs of rupees and the bets ran high.
“Expecting cash crisis during the harvest festival, many people kept with them good amounts of cash in higher denominations for the last few days. The new big notes, released in November, helped in placing heavy bets in these fights and in playing cards,” said an organiser at Penamaluru in Krishna district.
Despite the ban, the blood sport was organised widely in Krishna district, and the police remained mute spectators. People from the neighbouring States thronged the grounds which were specially prepared for the occasion. In some places surrounding Vijayawada, Kankipadu, Vuyyuru, Manikonda, Gudivada, Kailaluru, Kalidindi and Bantumilli, rooster fights were conducted for three-days.
