Experienced croupiers were brought from China and Nepal to operate the gambling boards of Dhaka’s casinos. After Wednesday’s drive, names and details of several such people were found. RAB is investigating to find if they have work permits or not.
On Wednesday (Sept 18), RAB-3 and RAB-1 carried out drives at casinos in Banani, Motijheel, Fakirerpool and Gulistan. Under the disguise of sports organisations, such casinos operated in glitz and razzmatazz.
RAB’s executive magistrate Sarwar Alam, said: “We found Chinese and Nepalese citizens at the casino and are trying to find if they have work permits or not.”
At 3 pm in the afternoon on Wednesday, RAB carried out a drive at Fakirerpool Youngmen’s Club and found some Chinese and Nepalese citizens who were released after questioning.
The Nepalese citizens, Bhupesh and Sanjay work at the casino. Two women, Megha and Liza, were also detained but were later released.
They used to work as dealers at the gambling dens. Liza told Bangla Tribune: “gambling is carried out in two shifts, from 8 am till 8 pm, and from 8 pm till 8 am and the boards are started by Chinese nationals and run by Nepalese staff.”
We work at the reception and 70-80 people play at each board with more people at night, she said and added: “many take drugs while playing.”
The establishment was once known as Fakirerpool Club but the name was changed later. There are seven gambling boards and six machines. There is a VIP room, restaurant and facilities to buy cigarettes and spirits.
During the raid, RAB also impounded spirits worth $ 2.4 million and the establishment is now sealed. RAB says that the casino is run by Jubo League’s Dhaka south organisational secretary Khaled Mahmud Bhuiyan.
RAB also found gambling equipment at Wanderers Club not too far away though this establishment is less glamorous.
Spirits, beer and libido-enhancing tablets were found here. RAB-3 leader lieutenant colonel Shafiullah Bulbul said: “no one could be arrested here and this is being controlled by DSCC commissioner of ward 9, Alhaj Mominul Huq Sayeed.”
The Muktijuddho Krirachakra Club has veered away from the ideals on which it was formed and has turned into a den of booze, gambling and drugs. Forty people were detained from the club and of them, 9 are staff members.
Seven gambling boards were found along with rooms for VIPs. Ironically, at the entrance is the room for prayers followed by the casino room.
Executive magistrate Sarwar Alam said: “These clubs are centres of drugs and gambling; the government has taken a zero-tolerance policy towards these dens and no one will be spared.”
