Thimphu police have received 18 cases of gambling leading to the arrest of 69 men and 19 women, totaling to 88 adult suspects, so far this year.
Police are cautioning and urging the public to refrain from gambling that involves money or property. “The seized amount, be it Nu 1 or be it a huge cash, is the same because an amount involving a single cheltrum is also considered gambling,” a police official said
All gambling cases are charge sheeted to the court. As a preventive measure, the police deploys police personnel in the identified places for frequent inspection rounds. Only repeat offenders and those on bail who are caught are detained.
As per Penal Code of Bhutan 2004, Section 393, a defendant shall be guilty of the offence of gambling, if the defendant stakes or wages something of value upon the outcome of a contest of chance or a future contingent event not under the defendant’s control of influence upon an agreement or understanding that the defendant will receive something of value in the event of a certain outcome.
Likewise, Section 394 states that the offence of gambling shall be a petty misdemeanor.