Heavy Betting Reported During T20 World Cup Final

Hyderabad, March 9 (PMI): Heavy betting was reported on Sunday during the final match of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup between the India national cricket team and the New Zealand national cricket team. With India reaching the final, betting activity began early in the morning and continued throughout the day.

Most bettors placed their wagers on India to win the final held in Ahmedabad, while comparatively fewer bets were placed on New Zealand. Bookmakers reportedly operated both online and offline betting networks, with several groups previously involved in cricket betting becoming active again.

Many people gathered in colonies and local neighborhoods to watch the match on specially arranged television screens. However, criticism has emerged that the police did not pay adequate attention to the betting activities surrounding the match.

Betting was not limited to the match result. Wagers were also placed on the toss outcome, predicted scores, the number of sixes and fours, and individual player performances. Special bets were reportedly placed on in-form Indian players such as Sanju Samson and Jasprit Bumrah. Bookmakers offered different rates, such as ₹100 yielding ₹140 if India won, while the same amount could return ₹180 if New Zealand won. The betting rates reportedly changed continuously during the match, with wagers placed on almost every ball and run.

Surge in Online Betting Apps

Online betting also saw a major surge as several apps dedicated to cricket betting attracted many users. Many bettors preferred online platforms over direct dealings with bookmakers to avoid potential complications. With the availability of UPI payment options in several apps, youth participation in online betting reportedly increased significantly.

Foreign betting websites, along with Telegram and WhatsApp groups, were also used to organize online betting networks. According to sources, some individuals even opened special bank accounts to facilitate betting transactions.

Alongside online betting, offline betting networks were also active. Small shops and paan stalls reportedly served as local hubs for bookmakers who ran their betting operations. Bets were placed on various match segments, including the entire match result and specific phases like the first five overs.

The betting network was reportedly active not only in Hyderabad but also in major cities such as Mumbai, Delhi, Ahmedabad, and Jaipur. Discussions suggest that the total betting volume across these networks may have exceeded ₹2,000 crore.

In addition to organized betting groups, many youths—including college students, employees, and young professionals—also placed small wagers among their own social circles. Some groups reportedly rented farmhouses on the outskirts of the city to watch the match together while participating in betting activities.(pressmediaofindia.com)