BENGALURU: In an effort to prevent the likelihood of people placing bets and losing money during the ongoing Indian Premier League (IPL), the police have intensified vigilance and are keeping a lookout for illegal betting activities. While offline betting is banned in the state under the Karnataka Police Act, illegal online betting platforms and gaming applications remain a grey area and a growing concern.
A senior police officer confirmed that the police are taking action against those involved in offline betting, but concerns remain over illegal online betting and gaming apps. Many online betting platforms operate in a legal grey area, exploiting loopholes by classifying themselves as ‘games of skill’, rather than ‘games of chance’.
He explained that online gaming is categorised into two types — ‘games of skill’, which require expertise and are legal; and ‘games of chance’, which rely on random factors and are illegal. Most fantasy gaming apps available on app stores fall under the ‘games of skill’ type, but there is heightened fear that the youth tend to get addicted to them, eventually turning them into ‘games of chance’.
The officer further added that online gaming and gambling platforms create a false sense of easy earnings, leading users to invest large sums of money in the hope of quick profits. However, repeated losses often push individuals into financial distress, forcing them to take loans.
Some, unable to repay their debts, have resorted to desperate measures too, including crime such as theft and chain-snatching, he mentioned. There have also been instances of people taking the extreme step. This year alone, five people died by suicide due to online betting-related cases, while six and eight people lost their lives in 2024 and 2023, respectively.
The officer noted that despite the government banning certain apps for promoting betting, they reappear through illegal, and encrypted messaging platforms, which are used for transactions and communication, making them even harder to be tracked.
He further informed that during each season of any major sporting activity, a new gaming app is in the works, while there are plenty of such apps already available in the country. In 2024, Karnataka reported 340 online betting cases, with 109 in Bengaluru.
Speaking to TNIE, Deputy Commissioner of Police (Central) Shekhar HT said, “We have intensified vigilance on betting activities. Officers will monitor the crowd inside M Chinnaswamy Stadium too, and track habitual offenders. Meanwhile, the Cybercrime and CCB police are investigating online platforms and monitoring gaming applications.”