Overview
- District administrations in Kakinada, West and East Godavari and Eluru opened control rooms from January 13–18 and warned of strict action, with officials coordinating rapid responses to complaints.
- Drone surveillance is being deployed to spot gambling dens and cockfight arenas as Superintendents of Police cautioned that festival-season gambling will not be tolerated.
- Early enforcement included the destruction of arenas in Janardhanavaram and the arrest of a man in Chinna Ramachandrapuram with 200 cockfighting knives and a grinding motor used to make blades.
- Despite prohibitions, large venues have been set up around Vijayawada with gallery seating for thousands, VIP enclosures and entry passes priced up to ₹60,000, along with hired bouncers and on-site amenities.
- Organisers in the Godavari region tout betting that could exceed ₹500 crore and claim raids will be nominal, even as the practice remains illegal under the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act and officials reiterate bans.