Matka is a number game popularly known as `OC', which allows the players to multiply their stake money by as many as 80 times. The first digit of the winning number, called `open', is usually announced at 9 pm, and later at midnight, the second digit, known as `close', is announced.

The two digits together become the winning number `OC'. For instance, if `open' is 5 and `close' 3, 53 is the OC and people who betted on the number multiply their money 80 times. There is another option too: If one bets only for `open' or `close', they get a safe eight-fold return.

It was in the 1970s that the well known Rattan Lal Khatri made matka a big money proposition. Then, there were two more variations of thegame:

`Millan' from Ahmedabad and `Kalyani' from Kalyan in Mumbai. In 1983, matka became so rampant in Bellary district that people rose up in revolt against the police.

A R Infant, IGP, who took part in the public contact programmes recently at Bellary, Hospet, Kudligi and Harapanahalli, found the same complaint everywhere: that the poor are the worst-hit as lure for money takes away their daily earnings.

At one such meeting attended by legislators and prominent citizens in Bellary on Sunday, it was alleged that the police are aware of the matka menace and gambling houses, yet prefer to look the other way.

In Hospet, the menace is so rampant that people have stopped complaining. A leadership vacuum -- Rajendra Udoshi, DSP, Hospet, has been on medical leave since four months -- has worsened the situation.

Bellary, which borders Andhra Pradesh, plays host to gamblers from Anantapur and Kurnool districts in the neighbouring State. Several gambling houses have come up under the garb of `recreationclubs'. The clubs register themselves under the `Cooperative Act', but their only recreation is card games.

Generally, March to June are the four months when matka rules the roost as police officers are busy with transfers. By the time the new officers settle down, the matka dons have done a fairly good amount of `business'.

In Bellary district alone, matka bookies collect not less than Rs 10 lakh a day. If the betting is heavy, business is passed on to Hubli or even to Mumbai.

Gopal Hosur, the then SP raided the house of one Gaffoor, said to be a matka don, along with Income-Tax officers and seized NSC certificates and other investment documents worth Rs 1.5 crore, besides Rs 85 lakh in cash. Several cases have been booked against matka bookies as well as Gaffoor and his sons. Externment proceedings have been initiated in some cases.

Money flows into the matka channel from rural areas too. Womenfolk are also involved in booking the numbers as well as conveying them to the main bookie.Matka donsgenerously finance functions, be it official or private. They pay election funds also. In fact, the portrait of the don who donated funds for building the Municipal Centenary Hall in Bellary, adorns its walls.