- Media
India opposition alleges political patronage for illegal casinos
Speaking at the YSRCP central office, state official spokesperson Vangaveeti Narendra alleged that large-scale casinos and card clubs are functioning openly across parts of Andhra Pradesh while law enforcement agencies fail to intervene. He claimed the administration led by Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu had weakened institutional checks, creating what he described as an environment conducive to drug trafficking and organised gambling.
Narendra specifically named state minister Parthasarathy, alleging that a casino near Agiripalli in Eluru district has been operating for several months with political backing. According to Narendra, the facility attracts hundreds of gamblers daily from Andhra Pradesh and neighbouring Telangana, including visitors from Hyderabad and Khammam. He claimed that cash transactions are conducted openly, with gamblers exchanging money for casino tokens at the venue.
The YSRCP spokesperson alleged that the minister and his associates receive financial commissions from the operation and demanded the minister’s immediate removal from the cabinet. These allegations could not be independently verified, and no official response was immediately available from the minister or the state government.
Narendra further accused the police of focusing on opposition leaders rather than addressing organised crime. He questioned the silence of the home department and criticised what he described as misleading claims by the government about controlling narcotics, including synthetic drugs such as MDMA.
Law enforcement changes under scrutiny
Drawing a contrast with the previous YSRCP-led administration under former chief minister Y. S. Jagan Mohan Reddy, Narendra said the now-defunct Special Enforcement Bureau (SEB) had taken significant action against illegal liquor, drugs and gambling. He claimed that SEB operations led to the destruction of ganja cultivation across approximately 11,500 acres and supported tribal communities with alternative livelihood programmes valued at about ₹500 crore ($60 million).
The current government abolished the SEB and replaced it with a new unit known as EAGLE. Narendra described the new body as ineffective and lacking operational capacity, arguing that enforcement against gambling and drug networks has since weakened.
He also cited a recent police raid at the Agiripalli casino, alleging that authorities detained around 280 people and seized approximately ₹50 lakh ($60,000) in cash, along with more than
100 vehicles. Narendra claimed the incident received limited media coverage due to political pressure, an assertion that could not be independently confirmed.
The YSR Congress Party warned that it would pursue legal action and public protests if the government fails to shut down illegal gambling operations and act against officials accused of shielding criminal networks. Narendra said the party views the issue as a threat to public order and youth welfare.
Casino gambling and India’s legal framework
Casino gambling remains largely illegal across India, with regulation governed primarily by the Public Gambling Act of 1867, a colonial-era law that prohibits operating or visiting gambling houses. States, however, have the authority to amend or override the law within their jurisdictions.
Only a few states, notably Goa, Sikkim and Daman, permit licensed casinos under strict regulatory frameworks. In most other states, including Andhra Pradesh, casino gambling and organised card clubs involving stakes are illegal. Despite this, enforcement varies widely, and illegal gambling operations continue to surface, often linked to organised crime and allegations of political influence.
Experts have long warned that unregulated gambling can facilitate money laundering and exacerbate drug trafficking networks, making effective enforcement a key governance challenge. The allegations raised by the YSR Congress Party add to ongoing political debate in Andhra Pradesh over law enforcement priorities and institutional oversight.
The Andhra Pradesh government has not yet issued a formal statement responding to the accusations.
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