Gambling ringleader jailed for three months by Dubai court

The Bangladeshi man was arrested after police spotted a large group of men gathered around a table in Al Qusais

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DUBAI // A construction worker who organised an illegal street gambling game was sentenced to three months in jail yesterday.

The criminal court heard that A A, 42, from Bangladesh, was arrested on the night of December 27 last year when a police patrol noticed a crowd of men gathered around a table in the Al Qusais area.

Police officer, A Q, 40, from Yemen, said that he stepped out his car to investigate and saw that the men were gambling.

He testified that he thought A A was in charge of the game, which used a dice and a bucket.

“I surprised them when I showed up,” the policeman said.

“I saw him organising the game, and arrested him on the spot.”

At a hearing earlier this month, A A claimed he was only a participant in the game, which was organised by another man he did not know.

“I didn’t run any game. I saw a number of men playing and I joined them, but I don’t even know who plans these games,” he said.

salamir@thenational.ae