Pro-Kannada activists vandalise poker club in Bengaluru's Koramangala over alleged online betting

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Members of pro-Kannada outfit Namma Karnataka Sene stormed into a poker club in Cauvery Colony, Koramangala, on Sunday evening, alleging that the establishment was engaged in illegal gambling and online betting.

According to media reports, the activists vandalised property before police arrested 10 of them and later released tehm on bail.

Police said the protesters barged into Golden Aces, confronted the staff, and accused them of “spoiling the youth” by running a gambling den. As arguments escalated, the members of the outfit damaged furniture and equipment, while customers fled the premises. A Hoysala patrol team rushed to the spot and detained the agitators.

Following this, the club owner lodged a complaint with Koramangala police.

Namma Karnataka Sene state president Basavaraj Padukote was quoted by The News Minute as saying that while the outfit had earlier complained to the police, only a non-cognisable report (NCR) was registered. “This has allowed the company to continue misleading youth. Police must register an FIR against the operators and arrest them,” he said.

The incident sparked swift political reactions. Former chief minister and Haveri MP Basavaraj S Bommai claimed that it exposed an “online betting racket” operating in the city. In a social media post, he accused the police and the state government of ignoring the issue despite the Union government’s ban on online betting.

“When our government was in power, we registered non-bailable cases against online betting and enforced strict laws. That case is currently pending in the Supreme Court. If the state government genuinely cares about preventing the poor from falling victim to it, it should take action regarding the pending Supreme Court case,” Bommai was quoted as saying.