Major sports events often attract illegal betting action and India is no exception, despite the strict laws about gambling. During one of the most anticipated and prestigious cricket events, the Indian Premier League (IPL) Twenty20 (T20) tournament, nearly two dozen people were arrested over suspected illegal gambling.
Suspects detained, $1.4m in betting chips and cash seized
The criminal case is from Bengaluru, the capital of India’s southern Karnataka state, where raids on several locations were conducted by law enforcement. The operations against illegal gambling were led by the Special Investigation Squad of the Central Crime Branch, local media reports suggest. Notably, 17 separate cases of suspected illegal gambling were registered by law enforcement. Those cases resulted in the arrest of 23 people, who allegedly engaged in illegal betting during the IPL T20 cricket tournament. The raids conducted across multiple locations in Bengaluru saw law enforcement seize local currency in cash, as well as betting chips. Notably, the value of the betting chips was an estimated Rs 13.37 crore, or approximately $1.4m, highlighting the scale of the illegal gambling operation. Moreover, smartphones and other equipment was also seized during the raids.
Penalties for illegal gambling depend on the scale of operation
Depending on the scale of the operation and the way individuals were involved, they may face a range of charges and penalties, if found guilty of illegal gambling. Such offenders may be sentenced to imprisonment between a couple of months up to several years, depending on their involvement. Moreover, illegal gambling is also punishable by fines that can significantly increase depending on the scale of operations, seizure of cash and electronic equipment. Large-scale illegal gambling syndicates in India may be subjected to tough punishment, considering additional charges that can include money laundering and tax-related violations.
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