Debt and distress: youth caught in cricket betting trap

Cricket has been a fan favorite sport in India for decades. However, this enjoyment underwent a dramatic transformation and many people became 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 punters and agents targeting people through mobile apps and digital channels. Police say unemployed youth, students and daily wage earners are among the most vulnerable groups targeted.

Today, smartphones and UPI payments have facilitated the penetration of betting apps into rural villages, tribal areas and suburban areas.

A major developing district in the state, Visakhapatnam has witnessed several changing trends in betting operations over the years. Initially, the gangs operated out of luxury apartments to avoid suspicion. Later, when the police began to detect such methods, the operators moved to thatched houses in the suburbs and semi-rural areas. In some cases, betting gangs even operated from the movement of vehicles to avoid surveillance. Operators had laptops, multiple cell phones, SIM cards and portable Wi-Fi routers. Advanced portable communication devices and sophisticated digital tools have made operations easier and harder to trace over time.

Interventions and investigations

Despite changing crime trends, the police in Visakhapatnam and neighboring districts have repeatedly busted betting gangs in the past few years. In 2018, a police task force arrested seven people allegedly involved in IPL betting operations in Kirlampudi Layout. In 2022, a gang operating from rented houses in the city was arrested for organizing online IPL betting. In 2023, police arrested 11 bookies and traced ₹367 million worth of transactions linked to betting apps.

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

The investigation of both cases showed that today betting operations are no longer a localized criminal activity. They operate as organized cybercrime syndicates with international processors, cross-border operators, technical support teams and complex money laundering channels that make enforcement increasingly difficult. Police and cybercrime 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 2026, the Anantapur police busted an international cricket betting racket allegedly operating in the Philippines and seized ₹19.70 lakh in cash. The police also froze another ₹18.20 crore in 49 bank accounts in nine banks after the arrest of the accused.

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

The police have named Shiva as the main accused, who is currently on the run and is said to be based in the Philippines. 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 local residents by paying around ₹10,000 for each account and also procured SIM cards using the identities of other people.

“SIM cards and passbooks were sent to the Philippines through associates based in Delhi, concealed in packages containing cargo pants. From Makati in Metro Manila, the gang allegedly operated illegal online gambling for the past three years through an application offering bets on cricket and other banned games,” the SP said.

Police noted that most of the betting transactions were done through digital payment platforms and the syndicate allegedly had members operating in several states.

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

Commissioner of Police Shankhabrata Bagchi said the accused was nabbed 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 taken into custody.

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

According to the police, the racket operated through a multi-level operational structure. Call centers based in cities including Bengaluru coordinated with secondary bookies and local operators. Proceeds from illegal betting were routed through UPI and bank transfers, then quickly moved between multiple accounts to avoid detection by financial regulators.

Financial website

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

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

Cybercrime teams are increasingly dependent on advanced digital forensics tools such as KHOJ and Gandhivam to crack sophisticated betting networks. Police officials say the tools help investigators map digital footprints, establish ownership of devices and link mobile numbers, email addresses and financial transactions to betting platforms.

A senior cybercrime official said: “Masterminds are often out of the country. Local operators only manage accounts and recruit punters. Money is moved to dozens of accounts within minutes,” the officer said.

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

Severe emergency

The hype and glamor of the game, especially the IPL and other league matches, has 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. Ramesh (name changed), a 26-year-old engineering graduate from Visakhapatnam, said he initially got into 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 ₹ 3,000 through personal loans and loans from friends. “I stopped sleeping properly. Every day I thought one big win would wipe out my debts. Instead, I lost another one. My family only found out after the recovery agents started calling me,” he said.

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

A private employee, Sreedhar from Pendurthi, narrated how online betting had eaten into his savings. “I used to spend my nights watching cricket score updates and betting ball by ball. I lost my salary, borrowed from colleagues and ended up mortgaging my home with gold without informing my parents,” he said.

A significant concern that has emerged is the increasing incidence of psychological distress among young people due to addiction to gambling apps. Cybercrime counselors and officials say online gambling addiction is fast becoming a silent but profound youth mental health crisis.

Trauma and loss

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

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

“Most of the victims are young people who want to make a quick buck. Many of them are unemployed or under financial stress. Betting apps take advantage of greed and desperation,” said a cybercrime officer. The officer further noted that many youngsters believe that their knowledge of cricket gives them an advantage.

“During the investigation, many young people admitted that they entered betting because they believed they had a very good understanding of cricket, including pitch conditions, boundary lengths, venues, dew factor and batting analysis. However, this knowledge should not be misused for illicit activities that will ultimately ruin families financially,” he said.

Despite repeated police crackdowns and awareness campaigns, authorities admit that enforcement alone may not be enough to quell the growing menace. They highlight the need for stronger digital regulations, better awareness campaigns, advisory support and community-level interventions. Parents and educators are also encouraged to closely monitor young people’s online behavior and financial activities.