Arrests in illegal betting

Indian Police Make Arrests Over Illegal Cricket World Cup Betting Syndicates

Indian police this weekend arrested men connected to four illegal betting syndicates taking bets on the 2011 ICC Cricket World Cup.

Police official Ashok Chand told the Associated Press that :” We were acting on a tip that gambling syndicates are active during the matches and have broken up at least four gambling syndicates”. The arrest occurred in the Indian capital of Delhi yesterday. Laptops , mobile phones and other equipment used by the syndicate were seized during the operation.

Police also seized 28 million rupees ($620,000) allegedly bet on the opening match of the tournament between co-hosts India and Bangladesh. Eight of the men were named in Delhi and a ninth arrested after being traced to Mumbai.

Indian police are extra-vigilant on spot betting during the tournament as the spectre of match fixing and corruption hangs over the game. Betting in sport is illegal in India, though this has not stopped a massive industry flourishing right under the noses of the authorities.