Bookies, websites, cashless payments: Inside the world of cricket betting in Telangana

Chitti is 28-year-old unemployed and follows cricket of any kind in any nation. He follows the live score apps of cricketing websites. Telangana Gaming Act 2017 prohibits betting both online and offline. Scores of people take part in betting rings across the state.

Chitti has lost nearly Rs 12 lakh in sports gambling. He uses local-level bookies, betting websites and within friends and peers. Chittis also maintains accounts in cricket betting website that operate in countries where betting is legal. His wife noticed that Rs 3 lakh was missing from her account. She sold her home to clear her debts. She deposited Rs 5 lakh into the bank. The money was left with them after clearing their debts, as Chitni had accessed her bank account online.

Miryalaguda division in Telangana makes around Rs 100 crore during the Indian Premier League. The state police tries to monitor gambling activities during IPL and Indian international series, but there is little vigilance during rest of the time.