Gujarat’s gambling problem: Bookies during IPL
Updated: May 26th, 2025
The Indian Premier League has seen a proliferation of gambling in Gujarat.
A gambler was caught with a laptop, and accounting records in Paldi, Ahmedabad. According to sources, the records revealed the names of five bookies. Using this information, ₹50 lakh was extorted by collecting ₹10 lakh from each of the five bookies.
There are also reports suggesting that one gambler leaked this information and, in return for a share, the police carried out the extortion. Some gamblers were allegedly given a 20% commission, and this extortion racket hints at the involvement of a syndicate operating within the police force.
Moreover, based on a tip-off during IPL, a bookie from Rajkot was trapped and caught while conducting betting operations in an isolated area near Junagadh. His mobile phone revealed betting accounts worth ₹5 lakh. Under the guise of investigation, police allegedly seized the mobile phones of the bookie's family members as well.
Despite only ₹5 lakh in betting being uncovered, allegations suggest that a total of ₹13 lakh was extorted. Complaints regarding this incident have reached as far as Gandhinagar, as per reports.
Under Indian laws, online betting applications continue to operate, with their promotions and management openly conducted through servers located abroad. On the other hand, there is no uniformity among states regarding gambling laws.
Some states have taken clear stances on online gambling. Sikkim and Nagaland have introduced laws to regulate it, while Tamil Nadu and Telangana have imposed strict bans on all forms of online gambling. Most states, including Gujarat, have not yet formulated a clear policy.
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