Visakhapatnam police launches crackdown against cricket betting during World Cup

Visakhapatnam: The city police have launched a crackdown against illegal betting in the context of the Cricket World Cup 2023.

 Lighting raids have been conducted in these regions and legal actions are being initiated against the errant, including those conducting, organizing, promoting, and inciting betting, police commissioner Ravi Shankar said.

A systematic investigation would cover all areas suspected of involvement in illegal betting. Statistics related to cricket-betting cases presented a worrisome trend over the past two years. In 2022, there were seven cases of illegal cricket betting. Raids led to the recovery of Rs 7,94,009. Some 13 persons were arrested.

The situation escalated in 2023, with six cases and some Rs 63,00,000 rupees was lost through cheating. Of this, a total of Rs 5,18,06,242 was recovered and 29 individuals were arrested.

The cumulative figures from both years meant a total of 24 cases, loss of Rs 63,00,000, a recovery of Rs 5,26,18,651, and charge-sheeting of 68 individuals.

The public has been encouraged to report any information related to cricket betting through various channels, including dialing 100/112, using WhatsApp at 9493336633, contacting the PCR at 0891-2565454, or visiting the nearest police station. Confidentiality of informants is assured, police said.

The cybercrime police have, meanwhile, frozen approximately Rs 5 crore from individuals involved in online betting.