Betting frenzy in Tadepalligudem; ₹1.25 crore wagered on cockfight
16 Jan 2025 6:19 PM
Cockfights in Andhra Pradesh. (Photo: X)
Kakinada: The four-day cockfight season during this Sankranthi concluded on Thursday. While cockfights traditionally end on Kanuma, the third day of the festival, some organisers extended the events to the fourth day this year. Cockfights were conducted at Mokkala Thippa and other villages in Katrenikona mandal on Thursday, attracting large crowds as people rushed to the grounds upon hearing the news.
During this season, some organisers rewarded prize-winning rooster owners with gifts such as Jeeps, Bullet bikes, and other items. The Tadepalligudem ground gained a reputation as the largest single betting ground. On Wednesday, a cockfight was organised at the P.V. Ramaiah ground in Tadepalligudem. G. Prabhakar and R. Rathayya placed bets of `1.25 crore each on their prize cocks. Many others also placed bets on the match. Ultimately, Prabhakar's cock emerged victorious. The organisers even employed lady bouncers at the cockfight grounds to manage the crowd, making it a special attraction.
In addition to cockfights, gambling games like Gundata, Kothata, and playing cards brought in significant earnings this year, with betting amounts running into hundreds of crores. In some villages, banned recording dances were conducted without any interference from law enforcement. In Ponnamanda, Pasarlapudi, Mamidikuduru, Magatapalli, and other villages, recording dances entertained and energized the youth and local residents.
Many people from cities like Bangalore, Chennai, Hyderabad, and Mumbai participated in the betting, with some losing lakhs of rupees. Several individuals returned to their homes empty-handed, having lost their savings in the betting frenzy.
( Source : Deccan Chronicle )
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