Cricket has been a fan-favourite sport in India for decades. However, this indulgence has undergone a dramatic transformation, with many people getting involved in betting and gambling. From cricket grounds to mobile screens, what was once restricted 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 punters and agents targeting people through mobile applications and digital channels. Police state that unemployed youth, students, and daily wage earners are among the most vulnerable groups being targeted.

Today, smartphones and UPI payments have facilitated the penetration of betting applications into rural villages, tribal areas, and semi-urban regions.

Visakhapatnam, a major developing district in the State, has witnessed several changing trends in betting operations over the years. Initially, gangs operated from posh residential apartments to avoid suspicion. Later, when the police began identifying such methods, operators shifted to thatched houses in the outskirts and semi-rural areas. In some cases, betting gangs even functioned from moving vehicles to evade surveillance. Operators carried laptops, multiple mobile phones, SIM cards, and portable Wi-Fi routers. Over time, high-end portable communication equipment and sophisticated digital tools have made operations easier and more difficult to trace.

Crackdowns and investigations

Despite changing criminal trends, the police in Visakhapatnam and neighbouring districts have repeatedly dismantled betting gangs over the past several years. In 2018, task force police arrested seven persons allegedly involved in IPL betting operations in Kirlampudi Layout. In 2022, a gang operating from rented houses in the city was arrested for organising online IPL betting. In 2023, cybercrime police arrested 11 bookies and traced transactions worth ₹367 crore linked to betting applications.

The recent bust of two major online betting rackets by the Visakhapatnam and Anantapur police, however, once again revealed how deeply the illegal betting ecosystem targets youth.

Investigations into the two cases revealed that betting operations today are no longer localised criminal activities. They function like organised cybercrime syndicates, with international handlers, interstate operators, technical support teams, and complex money-laundering channels that make enforcement increasingly difficult. Police and cybercrime experts state that 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. Police also froze another ₹18.20 lakh spread across 49 bank accounts in nine banks following the arrest of the accused.

According to Superintendent of Police P. Jagadeesh, officers received information regarding cricket betting and other illegal online gaming activities and conducted a raid in Kalyandurg, where 10 persons were allegedly caught participating in betting through an online application.

Police identified Shiva, currently absconding and reportedly based in the Philippines, as the prime accused. Investigators found that the syndicate recruited members from across India with promises of regular income based on betting profits. The gang allegedly opened bank accounts in the names of nearly 70 locals by paying around ₹10,000 for each account and also procured SIM cards using other individuals’ identities.

“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 past three years through an app offering cricket betting and other banned games,” the SP said.

Police noted that most betting transactions were carried out through digital payment platforms, and the syndicate reportedly had members operating across several States.

In another major breakthrough, Visakhapatnam police on May 13, 2026, arrested Karan Pakhrani, 27, alias Gabbar, from Kolkata for his alleged role in an inter-state online cricket betting and money laundering racket. Investigators estimate that the network may have facilitated illegal transactions worth over ₹400 crore within just six months.

Commissioner of Police Shankhabrata Bagchi stated that the accused was apprehended from a hideout in the Regent Park area of Kolkata. Six associates, who were allegedly involved in managing the financial and technical logistics of the operation, were also taken into custody.

The case originated from a complaint lodged by an unemployed youth who claimed he was lured into providing bank accounts under the pretext of legal online gaming. Subsequent investigation revealed that the syndicate operated through 224 mule bank accounts sourced from multiple States, which were used to layer and integrate funds generated through betting platforms.

According to police, the racket functioned through a tiered operational structure. Call centres based in cities including Bengaluru coordinated with sub-bookies and local operators. Illegal betting proceeds were routed via UPI and bank transfers, then rapidly moved across multiple accounts to evade detection by financial regulators.

Financial web

Officials reveal that tracing the masterminds behind such operations has become increasingly difficult due to the extensive use of mule accounts and interstate financial networks. Earlier, enforcement agencies mainly relied on tracing SIM cards and bank accounts. However, with mule accounts being opened in the names of poor, unemployed, or unsuspecting individuals, investigations often end with the account holders rather than reaching the main operators.

“Many deliberately give their bank accounts for easy money. But in some cases, offenders target poor and uneducated people by paying them small amounts,” Commissioner Bagchi said.

Cybercrime teams are increasingly depending on advanced digital forensic tools such as KHOJ and Gandhivam to crack 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 cybercrime official said, “Masterminds are often outside the country. Local operators only manage accounts and recruit punters. The money moves through dozens of accounts within minutes,” the officer said.

Police said that betting syndicates extensively use messaging applications and social media influencers to attract new users. Many applications initially allow users to win small amounts to build confidence before gradually pushing them into heavy betting and addiction.

Severe distress

The hype and glamour of the game, especially the IPL and other league matches, have become an easy attraction that draws many people, including youngsters, who later find themselves trapped in mounting debts, financial losses, and psychological stress.

G. Ramesh (name changed), a 26-year-old engineering graduate from Visakhapatnam, said he initially entered betting during IPL matches through a friend. “It started with ₹500 bets just for fun. In the beginning, I won a few times and thought I understood the game. Later, I started borrowing money to recover my losses,” he said. Within eight months, he had accumulated debts of nearly ₹3 lakh through personal loans and borrowings from friends. “I stopped sleeping properly. Every day, I thought one big win would clear my debts. Instead, I lost more. My family only found out after recovery agents started calling,” he said.

Another youth from Anakapalli district stated that betting applications psychologically manipulate users. “They show fake winning stories and bonuses. Once you start losing, they make you believe that the next match will recover everything. Slowly, you become addicted,” he said.

A private employee, Sreedhar from Pendurthi, narrated how online betting consumed his savings. “I used to spend nights watching cricket score updates and betting ball by ball. I lost my salary, borrowed from colleagues, and finally mortgaged gold at home without informing my parents,” he said.

A significant concern that has emerged is the increasing occurrence of psychological distress among youngsters resulting from addiction to betting applications. Counsellors and cybercrime officials assert that online betting addiction is swiftly becoming a quiet yet profound mental health crisis among the youth.

Trauma and losses

Several cases across Andhra Pradesh have revealed that victims suffered severe emotional trauma after losing lakhs of rupees through betting applications. In one case reported from Chittoor district last year, the police found that a betting kingpin had allegedly trapped several professionals and youth into massive financial losses. In the same case, even a police officer allegedly attempted to end his life due to mounting debts.

Officials opined that the COVID-19 pandemic accelerated the growth of online betting due to increased smartphone usage, affordable internet access, and widespread adoption of digital payments. IPL seasons, international cricket tournaments, and casino-style gaming applications have become major entry points for addiction among youth.

“Most victims are youngsters looking to make quick money. Many are unemployed or financially stressed. Betting apps exploit greed and desperation,” a cybercrime officer said. The officer further noted that many young people believe their knowledge of cricket gives them an advantage.

“During the investigations, many youths confessed that they entered betting because they believed they understood cricket very well, including pitch conditions, boundary lengths, venues, the dew factor, and batting analysis. However, such knowledge should not be misused for unauthorised activities that ultimately destroy families financially,” he said.

Despite repeated police crackdowns and awareness campaigns, authorities admit that enforcement alone may not be sufficient to curb the growing menace. They stress the need for stronger digital regulations, better awareness campaigns, counselling support, and community-level intervention. Parents and educators are also being urged to closely monitor online behaviour and financial activities among youngsters.