As the Champions Trophy final approaches in Dubai, an estimated Rs 5,000 crore has been wagered on the match, sources reveal. India remains the top pick among international bookmakers, many of whom operate from Dubai and have ties to underworld networks.
Underworld Connections and Betting Syndicates
Authorities tracking illegal betting claim that major bookies gather in Dubai for high-profile matches, with Dawood Ibrahim’s ‘D Company’ allegedly playing a key role in the betting racket. Delhi Police’s Crime Branch has already arrested five bookmakers during the tournament, uncovering links to Dubai. Among them, Parveen Kochhar and Sanjay Kumar were caught placing live bets on the India-Australia semi-final using laptops and mobile phones. Investigators seized various electronic devices and betting materials.
How the Betting Racket Operated
Kochhar allegedly purchased a master ID from the website lucky.com, which he used to generate and sell betting IDs to punters, earning a 3% commission per transaction. Offline bets were placed through phone calls, with records maintained in notebooks.
He reportedly rented a house for Rs 35,000 per month to run his operation, making Rs 40,000 per match day. During interrogation, he admitted the syndicate was controlled from Dubai.
Key Figures in the Betting Syndicate
Several prominent bookies have been identified as part of this illegal network:
– Chhotu Bansal – Originally from West Delhi, he developed a betting app in Canada and now resides in Dubai.
– Vinay – A resident of Delhi’s Moti Nagar, he provided live feedback from the cricket ground in Dubai.
– Other Delhi-based bookies – Individuals such as Bobby, Golu, Nitin Jain, and Jitu have also been linked to the syndicate.
More Arrests and Cash Seizures
Among those arrested in Delhi are Manish Sahani, Yogesh Kukeja, and Suraj, all of whom have connections to Dubai. Police recovered Rs 22 lakh in cash from them.
Sahani, identified as the main operator, allegedly recorded conversations of bettors and handled financial transactions directly, avoiding middlemen. He claimed full control over his network. During questioning, the accused revealed that a group including Mannu Matka, Akshay Gehlot, Nishu, Rinku, and Aman Rajput had developed the ‘Satta’ betting app outside India, further facilitating illegal betting operations. Authorities continue to investigate the syndicate’s reach, as the underground betting market remains a major concern during international cricket tournaments.
