Bhubaneswar, Feb 18: In a major crackdown on illegal gambling, police in Rourkela have unearthed an online betting racket operating across multiple parts of the city. The operation was carried out through coordinated, simultaneous raids based on specific intelligence inputs.

According to police sources, raids were conducted in areas under Plantside, Uditnagar, Bondamunda, and Raghunathpalli police stations. The illegal betting network was reportedly linked to wagers placed on matches of the ongoing ICC Men’s T20 World Cup.

Officials revealed that the racket involved large-scale unlawful financial transactions routed through cash dealings as well as digital platforms. During the searches, police seized more than Rs 20 lakh in cash along with betting records and electronic devices suspected to contain crucial evidence.

Investigators are now examining bank accounts, mobile phones, laptops, and other digital data to trace the money trail and identify the wider network behind the operation.

So far, five individuals have been detained and are being interrogated. Police indicated that further raids are likely as efforts continue to nab other associates connected to the illegal betting syndicate.

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