Cuttack: Amid the excitement of IPL 2026 season, Odisha Police intensified efforts to curb illegal betting, resulting in a major statewide operation that busted multiple rackets and led to the arrest of 18 individuals.
According to an official statement, the special enforcement drive saw four cases being registered in different districts. Police recovered Rs 36.85 lakh in cash from across the state. Additionally, Rs 39.42 lakh were frozen in bank accounts connected to the betting networks. Two cars and 13 mobile phones were also seized from the accused.
Major Haul in Puri
Four individuals were arrested in Puri district following coordinated raids by the Cyber Crime Police Station and a special police team.
Police recovered Rs 25.35 lakh in cash from the accused and froze Rs 31.81 lakh across 10 bank accounts linked to the racket. Six mobile phones used to facilitate betting activities were also seized.
According
to police, the syndicate operated through an application referred to as ‘Sky Exchange,’ enabling users to deposit money that was converted into virtual points for placing bets on IPL matches under multiple conditions. WhatsApp was used to coordinate transactions and betting instructions discreetly in the network, involving local organisers who recruited participants and were paid around Rs 22,000 per month as commission.
Busts in Sundargarh and Jharsuguda
In Sundargarh district’s Rajgangpur area, five persons were apprehended for their alleged involvement in a betting network. Police seized Rs 6 lakh in cash and froze funds amounting to Rs 17.61 lakh deposited in a bank account. Five mobile phones used in the operation were also seized from the accused persons.
Jharsuguda police delivered another strong blow, arresting eight persons, who allegedly operated from rented houses in Gandhi Chowk and Rampur areas of Brajrajnagar. Cash worth Rs 5 lakh, two laptops, 41 mobile phones, an Innova Crysta and a Maruti Baleno were seized during the operation. Police also froze Rs 3,70,000 in various bank accounts. The accused allegedly used live cricket apps to facilitate IPL betting, attracting people with promises of quick money via online gambling platforms.
In Berhampur, one person was arrested with Rs 50,200 in cash and two mobile phones.
Police officers described the action as part of a sustained campaign under initiatives like “Operation Netra” to disrupt online and offline betting syndicates that often exploit major sporting events like the IPL.