While all of India was gripped last weekend by televised efforts to save a boy who had fallen into a deep pit, bookmakers received $33-million (U.S.) in bets on whether the child would survive, a newspaper reported Wednesday.

Gambling is a popular pastime in many parts — even though betting is outlawed in India — and thousands of Indians apparently saw the drama surrounding the rescue of the young boy, identified only as Prince, as an opportunity for some action.