Since the start of the Indian Premier League (IPL) in March, the Bengaluru City Police have booked 17 betting-related cases and arrested 23 persons.

Among the 23 arrested, the Central Crime Branch (CCB) of Bengaluru City Police has taken into custody three persons, identified as Manjunatha, Prakash, and Anil Kumar, who were allegedly master bookies, sources said.

According to CCB sources, officials have identified nine websites and mobile applications through which betting was being offered. These platforms were operating illegally and were widely advertised to attract users.

“Once a user visited the app or website, they would find an option to buy ‘chips’ by depositing a stipulated amount. The ‘chips’ are a form of digital currency assigned a certain monetary value. Users or players could place bets only through these chips,” an officer said.

The arrested accused allegedly managed these chips. They accepted deposits from users and issued chips corresponding to the amount deposited. After receiving the chips, users could log into their accounts and place bets on multiple aspects of the game. “From the toss result to ball-by-ball predictions, users could bet on almost anything. We have identified such websites and recommended to concerned agencies that they be taken down,” an investigator said.

This is not the first time the Bengaluru City Police have cracked down on such illegal applications. Last year, more than five similar applications were taken down for offering gambling services. In addition, the CCB had arrested a few people inside the stadium for allegedly gambling while watching matches.

Usually, there is a buffer time of at least five to ten seconds between the actual play and what is broadcast on television applications. As a result, a person betting while seated inside the stadium would have an advantage over those watching the match on TV. Such attempts were thwarted last year, and those involved were arrested.