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Worker stabbed in gambling brawl

An Asian worker was left beaten up and stabbed after he won Dh100 from two other men during a gambling game.

The victim and two other Asian men were arrested for being involved in a gambling game called ‘belt rotation’ in Abu Dhabi’s Western Region.

According to Col. Ujail Ali Al Junaibi, Director of the Western Region Police Directorate, the injured mechanic reported to the police that he had been clubbed and knifed by two other workers.

Belt Rotation, a gambling game has been fast spreading in Abu Dhabi city and its suburbs, particularly in labour accommodations, luring participants to double their money when they win.

Highly trained agents pose as successful members of the public, in order to attract others in and make the difficult task seem attainable.

Al Junaibi said the victim called the police station saying he was badly injured and was not able to move and needed help. A brawl allegedly erupted after the game owners refused to pay the man his winning money, which led to the incident.

Al Junaibi said the victim has been recovering from his wounds in police custody. All the three will be referred to the Public Prosecution.

Recently, the Abu Dhabi Police have been cracking down on street gamblers in the city and labour accommodations.

“Even now you can see these gamblers having their ‘tables’ at public places. When you see an isolated crowd, for sure it is the belt and screwdriver game. They work in groups with their people keeping an eye around to alert the game masters when they notice the police coming,” said Haji Shah Dost, a Pakistani resident of Freej Al Sahegh near Hamdan Street.

Another resident, Musa Yaqoob, said the gamblers were well armed with knives, heavy belts and clubs. “They are hardcore criminals and have no fear. I have seen them beating a player badly. The player was bleeding and was rushed to hospital while the attackers were arrested,” he added.

J.H., a worker in a labour accommodation in Mussafah, said the game was common practice all over the labour accommodations in the area on Friday afternoons.

According to the Abu Dhabi Police, after receiving reports of the menace, the authorities launched a crackdown and campaign to curb the crime with many arrests.