Sambalpur: In continuation of the crackdown on gambling, police on Friday raided a prominent hotel in Sambalpur town and arrested nine persons.
Acting on a tip-off that a few persons were organizing gambling in the hotel, a surprise raid was conducted by a team of Dhanupali police and the accused nabbed from the spot.
Cash to the tune of Rs 3.80 lakh was seized from the gamblers.
According to police sources, the accused persons used to invite interested punters to the hotel and collect money from them to participate in gambling.
As many as 16 persons were arrested following similar raid on a gambling unit operating at Sunapali area in the district on May 28 this year.
Separate raids will be carried out in other locations of Sambalpur district to bust other gambling dens being operated at different places, the sources said.
On July 8, another gambling racket was busted at Jagatpur truck terminal in Cuttack district and five persons were arrested in this connection.
Playing cards, stake money of Rs 6, 200, six mobile phones and three motorcycles were seized from the place.
