The scourge of housie, also known as ‘tambola’ seems to be spreading like wildfire in South Goa despite a ban issued by the SP, South Goa. Though housie was played across the State during sports tournaments and on festive occasions, it caught the attention of the law enforcement authorities when lakhs of rupees begun to be offered as prize money by shady organizers with ticket prices jacked north of Rs 1,000.
It has been reported that many adolescents stole money from home to try their luck at this form of get rich quick scheme. Casinos are largely off-limits to locals and matka does not generate jackpot winnings, thus enter high stakes housie. Every weekend posters of housie events sprout up at the streetcorners of coastal villages. Gambling in any form is addictive and the government would do well to nip the problem in the bud before it becomes uncontrollable, perhaps a legislation needs to be passed in the Assembly.
