High rollers betting on IPL

BETTING ALLEGATIONS SWIRL ABOUT

Sunday Guardian

Tax and Enforcement sleuths are believed to have recovered incriminating computer records during their raids on franchises indicating betting by individuals involved in IPL. This could be linked to match-fixing if owners and their colleagues are involved.
Police have made arrests across India, from Jalandhar to Sirsa to Surajkand to Chattisgarh to smaller towns like Bhavnagar and Rajkot in Gujarat in an effort to curb betting, which has been rampant this season.
Top bookies told the Sunday Guardian, "Is baar satte ka bazaar garam that, achche khaase paisa lagaya gaya hai." He added that interest was high because IPL had returned to India after a sojourn in South Africa last year. It is estimated that around Rs 5000 cr has changed hands in IPL3. Owners like Vijay Mallya and IPL commissioner Lalit Modi have vehemently denied that there is any serious Indian gambling on IPL.
In Britain, where gambling is legal, top online sites are giving odds of 4/5 on Mumbai Indians for an outright win, while Chennai Super Kings is fetching 6/5.
Since betting is illegal in India, bookies are creative. They operate through multiple mobile phones, from vehicles or farmhouses on the outskirts of urban conglomerates. Betting syndicates operating out of small towns in western and central India in the past had links with Dubai and Karachi-based dons.
Betting in the UK has been boosted by the fact that matches have been shown live due to the landmark deal broadcast deal between IPL and ITV. Matches are also being shown on youtube.