Cricket has been a fan favorite sport in India for decades. However, this indulgence has changed dramatically, with many people becoming involved in betting and gambling. From cricket grounds to mobile screens, what was once limited to a few metropolitan cities and underground bookies has now expanded into an international network operating through mobile apps, websites, cryptocurrencies and social media platforms.
The rise of online platforms has made gambling and betting easily accessible, with bookmakers and agents targeting people through mobile applications and digital channels. Police say unemployed youth, students and daily wage earners are among the most vulnerable groups being targeted.
Today, smartphones and UPI payments have made it easier to access betting applications in rural villages, tribal areas and semi-urban areas.
Visakhapatnam, a major developing district of the state, has seen many changing trends in betting operations over the years. Initially, the gangs operated out of posh residential apartments to avoid suspicion. Later, when the police began to identify such methods, the operators shifted to thatched houses on the outskirts and semi-rural areas. In some cases, betting gangs even operated from moving vehicles to avoid surveillance. The operators took away a laptop, several mobile phones, SIM cards and a portable Wi-Fi router. Over time, high-end portable communications equipment and sophisticated digital devices have made operations easier and more difficult to detect.
action and investigation
Despite changing criminal trends, the police in Visakhapatnam and neighboring districts have repeatedly dismantled betting gangs over the past several years. In 2018, the Task Force police arrested seven people allegedly involved in IPL betting operations in Kiralampudi Layout. A gang operating from rented houses in the city that was planning to organize online IPL betting in 2022 was arrested. In 2023, cyber crime police arrested 11 bookmakers and detected transactions worth ₹367 crore linked to betting applications.
However, two major online betting rackets recently busted by Visakhapatnam and Anantapur police have once again revealed how deeply the illegal betting ecosystem targets the youth.
Investigations into both cases revealed that betting operations today are no longer localized criminal activities. They operate like organized cyber crime syndicates with international operators, interstate operators, technical support teams and complex money-laundering channels that make enforcement more difficult. Police and cyber crime experts say modern betting syndicates use encrypted communication platforms, UPI transactions, cryptocurrency payments and multiple layers of bank accounts to evade regulators and law enforcement agencies. Illegal betting gangs now resemble multinational corporate networks rather than traditional local gambling operations.
On May 5, 2026, Anantapur Police busted an international cricket betting racket allegedly operating from the Philippines and seized ₹19.70 lakh in cash. The police also froze ₹18.20 lakh spread across 49 bank accounts in nine banks after the arrest of the accused.
According to Superintendent of Police P.Jagadeesh, officials received information about cricket betting and other illegal online gaming activities and conducted a raid in Kalyandurg, where 10 people were caught allegedly participating in betting through an online application.
The police identified Shiva, who is currently absconding and reportedly lives in the Philippines, as the prime accused. Investigators found that the syndicate recruited members from across India with the promise of regular income based on betting profits. The gang allegedly opened bank accounts in the names of around 70 local people by paying around ₹10,000 for each account and also purchased SIM cards using the identities of other persons.
“The SIM cards and passbooks were sent to the Philippines through Delhi-based associates hidden inside parcels containing cargo pants. From Makati in Metro Manila, the gang has allegedly been operating illegal online gambling activities for the last three years through an app offering cricket betting and other banned sports,” the SP said.
Police noted that most of the betting transactions were done through digital payment platforms, and members of the syndicate were allegedly operating across multiple states.
In another major breakthrough, on May 13, 2026, Visakhapatnam Police arrested 27-year-old Karan Pakhrani alias Gabbar from Kolkata for his alleged role in an interstate online cricket betting and money laundering racket. Investigators estimate that the network may have facilitated illicit transactions worth more than ₹400 crore within just six months.
Police Commissioner Shankhabrata Bagchi said the accused was caught from a hideout in Kolkata’s Regent Park area. Six associates, who were allegedly involved in managing the financial and technical logistics of the operation, were also detained.
The case arose from a complaint filed by an unemployed youth, who claimed that he was lured into providing bank accounts on the pretext of legal online gaming. Subsequent investigation revealed that the syndicate operated through 224 origin bank accounts obtained from multiple states, which were used to layer and integrate funds generated through betting platforms.
According to the police, the racket operated through a tiered operational structure. Call centers located in cities including Bengaluru coordinated with sub-bookies and local operators. The illegal betting proceeds were sent through UPI and bank transfers, then rapidly transferred to multiple accounts to avoid detection by financial regulators.
financial web
Officials say the widespread use of mule accounts and interstate financial networks has made it difficult to trace the masterminds behind such operations. Earlier, enforcement agencies mainly relied on tracing SIM cards and bank accounts. However, with accounts opened in the names of the poor, the unemployed, or unsuspecting individuals, investigations often end up at the account holders rather than reaching the main operators.
Commissioner Bagchi said, “Many people knowingly give away their bank accounts for easy money. But in some cases, criminals target poor and uneducated people by giving them small amounts.”
Cyber ​​crime teams are increasingly relying on advanced digital forensic tools like Search and Gandhivam to crack down on sophisticated betting networks. Police officials say these tools help investigators map digital footprints, establish device ownership and link mobile numbers, email addresses and financial transactions to betting platforms.
A senior cyber crime official said, “The masterminds are often outside the country. Local operators simply manage the accounts and recruit speculators. The money moves to dozens of accounts within minutes.”
Police said the betting syndicates extensively use messaging applications and social media influencers to attract new users. Many applications initially allow users to win small sums to build confidence before pushing them into heavy betting and addiction.
severe suffering
The hype and glamor of sports, especially IPL and other league matches, have become an easy attraction that attracts many people, including the youth, who later find themselves trapped in mounting debts, financial losses and psychological stress.
G, a 26-year-old engineering graduate from Visakhapatnam. Ramesh (name changed) said he initially got into betting during IPL matches through a friend. He said, “It started with a bet of ₹500 just for fun. In the beginning, I won a few times and thought I understood the game. Later, I started borrowing money to compensate for my losses.” Within eight months, he had accumulated a debt of about ₹3 lakh through personal loans and borrowing from friends. He said, “I stopped sleeping properly. Every day, I thought that a big win would clear my debt. Instead, I lost more. My family only found out after getting calls from recovery agents.”
Another youth from Anakapalle district said that betting applications manipulate users psychologically. He said, “They show fake victory stories and bonuses. Once you start losing, they make you believe that the next match will fix everything. Gradually, you get addicted.”
Sridhar, a personal employee of Pendurthi, narrated how online betting had drained his savings. He said, “I used to spend nights watching cricket score updates and betting ball by ball. I lost my salary, borrowed from colleagues and finally mortgaged the gold at home without telling my parents.”
An important concern that has emerged is the increasing incidence of psychological distress among youth due to betting addiction. Counselors and cyber crime officials stress that online betting addiction is fast becoming a quiet but deep mental health crisis among the youth.
trauma and loss
Several cases across Andhra Pradesh have revealed that victims suffered severe emotional trauma after losing lakhs of rupees through betting applications. In a case reported from Chittoor district last year, police found that a betting kingpin had allegedly duped several professionals and youth into massive financial losses. In the same case, a police officer also allegedly tried to commit suicide due to increasing debt.
Officials are of the opinion that the COVID-19 pandemic has accelerated the growth of online betting due to increased smartphone usage, affordable internet access and widespread adoption of digital payments. IPL season, international cricket tournaments and casino-style gaming applications have become major entry points for drug addiction among the youth.
A cyber crime officer said, “Most victims are youth who want to make quick money. Many are unemployed or financially stressed. Betting apps take advantage of greed and desperation.” The official further said that many youngsters believe that their knowledge about cricket gives them an advantage.
“During the investigation, several youths confessed that they entered betting because they believed they understood cricket well, including pitch conditions, boundary lengths, locations, dew factor and batting analysis. However, such knowledge should not be misused for unauthorized activities that ultimately destroy families financially,” he said.
Despite repeated police actions and awareness campaigns, officials admit that enforcement alone may not be enough to stop the growing menace. They stress the need for stronger digital regulations, better awareness campaigns, counseling support and community-level interventions. Parents and teachers are also being urged to keep a close eye on online behavior and financial activities among young people.
