With the onset the Indian Premier league (IPl), more than a hundred youths of Gajapati district have reportedly been involved in the betting racket.
Some specific places in the district headquarters here have been identified, where the youths organize cricket betting and collect money for each ball of the IPl matches.
The bookies are taking betting orders on the IPl matches through mobile phone and e-mail. “They organise bettings for winner predictions and even ball-to-ball predictions. Huge amount of money must be rotating between the bookies,” said a local resident.
With expectation to get more money easily, the local youths get engaged in the betting rackets. Even some youths put their money on betting after borrowing from somewhere. But often they lose their invested money in betting and face many difficulties.
In view of this situation, the intellectuals demanded that the district administration and police take necessary steps in this regard.