Like tourism, Shillong Teer business has been badly hit because of intermittent lockdowns and containment zones amid COVID19 pandemic in Meghalaya.
Otherwise, between 3.30 and 5 pm, from Monday to Saturday, life in almost the entire state of Meghalaya is focused on one target — the Shillong Teer result.
Since mid-March, most of the Shillong Teer operators had to keep their counters closed because of the COVID19 pandemic.
A section of Shillong Teer counter owners are worried that if curfews continue in Shillong, there is business is going to suffer.
“If the situation continues like this for some more time, the Shillong Teer business is sure to collapse,” Robert Lyngdoh, a Teer counter owner at Matphran in Shillong, said.
Lyngdoh said it is a matter of serious concern as lives of several lakh families of the state are directly or indirectly connected with the Shillong Teer result every day.
Bread earners of some families sell Shillong Teer tickets, while others make it a point to bet on their chosen numbers with the hope to win the “jackpot” of the day.
While the situation continues to be under control in Meghalaya, the state government, and especially the East Khasi Hills district administration is strictly implementing the COVID protocol.
While several areas in Shillong have been declared as containment zones, people are not able to come out of their houses to buy Shillong Teer tickets.
In addition to lockdowns and containment zones, some of the Shillong Teer operators are also infected with the deadly virus.
Every day, Shillong Teer results generally spread the length and breadth of the state within seconds of declaration. And, WhatsApp is the best mode of dissemination of the information.
Though it may sound surprising, but it is true that even in the 21st century, when the world is shifting towards a digital era, people of Meghalaya are still focused on the traditional game — the Shillong Teer.
Shillong Teer is a highly popular traditional game of betting in Meghalaya, and thousands of people partake in the game every day.