Crossword Genius

Better to make this payment with rupees (5)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

wager

'better to make this' is the definition.
(someone who bets might make a wager)

'payment with rupees' is the wordplay.
'payment' becomes 'wage' (wage is a kind of payment).
'with' says to put letters next to each other.
'rupees' becomes 'r' (abbreviation for rupees).
'wage'+'r'='WAGER'

(Other definitions for wager that I've seen before include "Put on a bit" , "better to put this on?" , "Risk; stake" , "act for "The Gamblers"?" , "(Place a) stake" .)

I've seen this clue in The Times.
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