Rs 100 crore cricket betting racket busted in Hubli

Hubli: The Hubli-Dharwad police busted an online cricket betting racket involving more than Rs 100 crore, here on Sunday. Two people were arrested and online betting machines were seized from them. The police also seized 40 mobile phones, a television set and Rs 6,100 cash from them.

The arrested are identified as Parashuram Savant (23) of Medar locality and Krishna Haimbatti (21) of Nulvi village near here. They were staying in a hotel near Kittur Channamma Circle in the city. They had engaged in betting for the finals of Champions League T20 mach between Chennai Super Kings and Kolkata Knight Riders on Saturday.

Police Commissioner Ravindra Prasad suspected that there could be around 40 bookies in the city with a good network with main bookies in New Delhi. More people will be arrested soon from Bengaluru and Chitradurga, he said.

The police have formed a special team for a thorough investigation and to arrest the remaining bookies. The local bookies have contact with the main bookie and mastermind, Kapur in New Delhi.

The police said that the bookies were engaged in betting racket for the last several months and were collecting money.  The bookies also have underworld connections and have been using Hubli as a safe haven for their betting activities.