The Crime Branch of Goa Police launched a coordinated raid on Thursday, resulting in the registration of 12 cases and the arrest of 12 alleged bookies, including the notorious matka queen Jaya Chheda. The police claim to have uncovered a significant gambling network operating within the State, linked to larger syndicates based outside Goa, with ties to Mumbai, Ahmedabad, and other regions. While this crackdown is being portrayed as a decisive action against illegal gambling, it raises serious questions about the selective nature of law enforcement and the deep-rooted, pervasive nature of matka gambling in Goa.
Matka gambling, despite being officially banned, has thrived in Goa for decades. It is a clandestine enterprise that operates in every nook and corner of villages and cities where agents and sub-agents openly take bets, often disguised behind legitimate businesses. The recent police operation appears to be a drop in the ocean compared to the vast, entrenched network that has long dominated the gambling landscape in Goa.
What makes this crackdown suspicious is its apparent selectivity. While the police have registered 12 cases and made some arrests, the matka ring is far bigger with operators numbering in thousands. The crackdown on a handful of bookies hardly dents the overall gambling ecosystem. The question is whether this crackdown has any genuine intention to combat a social evil, or whether it is merely a targeted operation aimed at high-profile figures.
Historically, matka has enjoyed a tacit support system—whether through police inaction, corruption, or institutional oversight that has allowed it to flourish unimpeded. Despite a ban under the Goa Public Gambling Act, the activity continues unabated, evolving into multiple variations such as Satta and Kalyan. Last December, Goa topped the country in online searches for ‘matka’, indicating its widespread popularity and the scale of its operations.
The double standards applied to gambling are as clear as daylight. While authorities are quick to clamp down on Housie, which is now being classified as gambling and targeted for suppression, matka which is arguably more habit-forming and lucrative continues to operate with minimal interference. Why this inconsistency? Why is there a focus on superficial measures rather than a comprehensive strategy to dismantle the entire illegal gambling network?
Or is there a sheer lack of will? A PIL filed in 2017 by an activist pointed to matka activities rampant across the State, prompting the government to form a Special Investigation Team (SIT). Seven years later, the SIT was closed without meaningful results, with authorities admitting that many operators run their operations from neighbouring states like Maharashtra, Karnataka, and even Gujarat.
Matka gambling isn’t just a game; it’s a social menace that ruins families leading to bankruptcies, mental health issues, and a breakdown of social fabric. Despite its destructive potential, it remains largely unchecked and the enforcement is finding difficulty in eradicating a deeply ingrained underground economy.
In light of these facts, the recent police raids seem more symbolic than substantive. They appear to be headline-grabbing rather than being a decisive blow to an enduring problem. Goa needs a more honest, comprehensive approach, one that targets the entire gambling ecosystem, addresses the socio-economic roots, and enforces consistent laws without double standards.
Matka isn’t just a criminal activity; it’s a reflection of societal neglect and until Goa confronts this reality head-on the menace will continue to thrive, preying on vulnerable families and undermining the social order.
