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RAK orders closure of six electronic games parlours

RAS AL KHAIMAH — The RAK authorities ordered yesterday the closure of six electronic games parlours that were found to be involved in gambling and betting.

A joint team from RAK Economic Department (RED) and RAK Police Department (RPD) ordered the closure of the parlours, located in different parts of the emirate, after it was ascertained that they have been turned into centres of gambling. The move came in light of the many complaints that have been lodged by the public with RED. ''We have received so many complaints from people of different Arab, Asian and European nationalities that they have lost large amount of money when they took part in gambling in the closed shops,'' Najeeb Al Shamsi, RED Director General, said. '' We are very concerned about the social impact of gambling,'' he added.

Two of the complainants claimed that they had lost Dh. 1 million and Dh. 6,00,000 respectively through betting at the parlours. Most of the victims ranged in ages from 18 years to 40 years and some of them even resorted to taking bank loans for gambling.

Some of the victims even took bank loans in the names of their wives, while others resorted to sell their personal cars to raise money for gambling. One of the complainants also asserted that he stopped going to his house because of the enormous financial losses incurred by him by betting in the closed parlours.

''Due to the fact that the errant businesses have committed this violation repeatedly, we have ordered their closure for ever,'' Al Shamsi added. The inspection team placed stickers on the doors of the parlours notifying that they have been ordered to wind up their activities permanently.

''Such activities are not included in their trade licences and are also great violations of the emirate's trade laws and regulations,'' he added. ''Such activities don‚t conform with our deeply rooted religious and social values,'' he added.

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