Police forces across multiple Indian states have dismantled several online cricket betting operations, resulting in multiple arrests and the seizure of cash and electronics.
These raids highlight the ongoing struggle for Indian authorities to curb illegal gambling networks that exploit the popularity of the Indian Premier League (IPL) through digital platforms.
In Chilakalapudi, Andhra Pradesh, police arrested four people [5] and seized eight mobile phones [7]. The cash recovered in that operation was reported as ₹36,000 [1], though another report cited Rs 37,000 [2].
Simultaneous efforts in Maharashtra saw Mumbai police bust an international betting racket in Kandivali. That operation led to the arrest of three people and the seizure of four mobile phones [6].
Further action took place in the Puri district of Odisha, where police arrested four suspects. The amount of cash seized in the Puri bust varies by report, with one source stating Rs 57 lakh [3] and another reporting Rs 25 lakh [4]. Authorities said that the "Sky Exchange" app was used to manage the organized illegal network in Odisha [3].
These coordinated efforts aim to disrupt the financial infrastructure of illegal gambling, which often operates across state and national borders using encrypted apps, and digital payment systems.
“Police forces across multiple Indian states have dismantled several online cricket betting operations”
The disparity in the amount of cash seized—ranging from small sums in Andhra Pradesh to millions of rupees in Odisha—suggests a tiered system of betting operations. While some are small-scale local hubs, others are sophisticated, high-capital networks using specialized software like Sky Exchange to facilitate international transactions. This indicates that law enforcement is facing a fragmented landscape of both amateur and professional criminal enterprises during the IPL season.
