MARGAO, April 15 -- Team Herald

Housie organisers and volunteers have slammed Goa Football Association (GFA) President Caitano Fernandes for referring to a "housie mafia" and accused him of maligning a cherished Goan entertainment tradition that plays a vital role in supporting grassroots football and cultural events.

Fernandes, who recently submitted a memorandum to the Chief Minister calling for an enquiry, spoke about a few "housie mafias" that tarnished the 70-year-old tradition of the popular game - also known as Tambola - and triggered the recent ban imposed in South Goa under the Gambling Act. He claimed certain high-stakes housie events, with prize money running into tens of lakhs, warranted government scrutiny and investigation...