Sharjah: Sharjah Police have arrested 17 Asians for gambling and betting in public.
Monday’s crackdown comes close on the heels of an XPRESS expose on the brazen roadside gambling racket in Sharjah’s bustling Rolla area.
Scores of men were caught gambling on camera in the sting operation carried out by the newspaper earlier this month.
An online video and pictures published by XPRESS in its November 1 edition showed them placing bets on screw-driver belt and card games while their compatriots kept vigil.
Thousands of dirhams exchanged hands on ironing boards doubling as gambling tables along the Arab Bank-KM Trading stretch.
Police said they have increased patrolling in the area to check the spurt in gambling.
All gamblers have been referred to the public prosecution and will be sent to the immigration department’s detention centre.
In an email statement to XPRESS, Sharjah police said they have launched a mass campaign to create awareness and dissuade people from gambling.
