The growth of “𝗢𝗻𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗲 𝗚𝗮𝗺𝗯𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗴” in India is a concerning trend, with individuals from diverse backgrounds getting involved. Online gambling has created a seemingly secure space for people of all ages and genders to participate, including men, women, girls, and boys.

Prior to the emergence of online gambling in India, the majority of gamblers were typically misguided men with addictions beyond repair, leading to the destruction of their own families. Elderly women could painfully narrate the hardships they endured due to their husbands’ drinking and gambling habits.

However, online gambling has erased the painful past for women and children, enticing them to participate from anywhere, resulting in the loss of their money, peace, stability, and eventually, their sanity. It’s a crime more severe than murder and fraud because it often catches victims unaware.

While butchers kill animals in one go, shameless celebrities, having lost sensitivity and disregarding past history, are inviting hundreds of millions of potential contributors to society into gambling addiction.

It’s a silent flood of destruction, and very soon, it’s on the verge of a major avalanche. If one wishes to study the ill effects of gambling, one can read the story of Nala and Yudhisthira. While it was only one person gambling, the two nations of these heroes experienced significant and painful histories.

The great Vidura, forewarned Yudhishthira Maharaja about the ill effects of gambling, and his warning proved insightful, leading to the immense suffering of the Pandavas, especially Draupadi. In the story of Nala-Damayanti, Damayanti’s ordeal is particularly painful. As a princess, she became a pauper and orphan due to Nala’s foolish act, and she was almost mistreated by many ruffians. What an ordeal it is!

It’s indeed strange that we have such a magnificent Sri Rama’s temple, yet in Rama’s kingdom, gambling is promoted by celebrities, causing untold harm. It’s terrorism without weapons, promoted and sanctioned by the state at the expense of citizens and their well-being.

Let’s see what the Prime Minister of Hastinapura, Vidura, said about this:
“Gambling destroys all that is enjoyable within no time, without allowing one to enjoy any of them. The gambler not only loses everything but also gains anger, curses, and ostracization. While there are many faults (doshas) like obsession with the opposite sex, slaughter of innocent animals, and intoxication, gambling is considered the most significant among all evils. It is the root cause of all unwanted (anartha).”

Vidura was very strong in reprimanding responsible individuals for such events. He said that such people should be thrown out of the state so that the rest of the state remains safe; otherwise, gamblers and promoters of gambling will destroy the entire country.

The great Pandavas lost everything due to the evil acts of four villains. Vyasadeva refers to Duryodhana, Dushyashana, Karna, and Shakuni as “dushta chatushtaya”.

Online gambling is the most dangerous trend that must be rooted out so that sanity and the value of time and resources are taken seriously.

– Govinda Das