New Delhi:
As the IPL 2026 season drives record fan engagement across India, illegal online betting platforms are quietly flourishing behind Telegram groups, WhatsApp forwards and overseas apps, offering users everything from sign-up bonuses to ball-by-ball gambling opportunities.
The promotional pitch is often direct and aggressive.
“I am Rahul from Playguru sports betting app. I want to inform you about the exclusive offer during IPL. Make a Rs 500 deposit for up to Rs 25,000 match bonus,” one caller told users while promoting a betting application during the ongoing tournament.
Across social media and encrypted messaging platforms, online betting operators are heavily targeting IPL viewers with promises of easy profits, instant rewards and referral bonuses. Many platforms market themselves as gaming apps, but investigators say they function as sophisticated betting exchanges built around real-time gambling during live cricket matches.
How IPL Betting Has Changed In The Digital Era
Traditional cricket betting once revolved around local bookies, physical cash transactions and wagers placed mainly on final match results. But the internet has transformed the scale of gambling operations dramatically.
Today, users can place bets instantly through mobile apps, Telegram channels and encrypted groups without ever meeting a bookie in person.
Unlike older betting systems, modern IPL betting platforms encourage “micro-betting”, where users can wager on nearly every moment of a match — including:
- The next wicket
- Runs in the next over
- Boundaries or sixes
- Toss outcomes
- Ball-by-ball predictions
- Individual deliveries
With odds changing in real time, these platforms are designed to keep users continuously engaged throughout the match.
Betting Apps Operating Through Agent Networks
Many betting apps reportedly work through organised agent networks that manage deposits, betting IDs and commission-based recruitment systems.
Pramod (name changed), who identified himself as a long-time “bookie”, explained how the system functions.
“Users first pay to create a betting ID, after which points equivalent to the deposited amount are credited to their account. If someone deposits Rs 1 lakh, they get points worth the same amount,” he told NDTV.
According to him, betting begins with small amounts but quickly escalates during IPL matches.
“Most bets are placed ball-by-ball during IPL matches, starting from as little as Rs 500. The odds change every ball on boundaries, sixes, wickets or how many runs will come in the next over,” he said.
Pramod also claimed many such platforms operate from overseas while Indian agents act as intermediaries handling user accounts and money transfers.
“Most of these apps operate from abroad, and settlements are usually calculated every Monday,” he added.
He said the online model significantly lowers the risk for operators compared to traditional betting networks.
“Person X won’t know the exact details of person Y, so it reduces the risk considerably,” he explained.
Telegram Channels Fuel Betting Culture
Encrypted Telegram groups have become a major hub for IPL betting activity.
Many channels advertise themselves as “exclusive betting communities” offering high-accuracy predictions on toss results, match outcomes and ball-by-ball scenarios.
Messages encouraging aggressive betting strategies circulate frequently during live matches.
“Play unlimited on this toss,” one such Telegram message read, urging users to continue wagering throughout the game.
Authorities say these platforms create an immersive gambling environment that keeps users hooked for entire matches.
Police Say Digital Betting Has Become Harder To Track
Law enforcement officials say online betting has made illegal gambling networks far more difficult to investigate.
Unlike traditional betting operations where physical cash and people were easier to trace, digital betting platforms now use multiple bank accounts, cryptocurrency transactions and offshore servers.
“Traditionally, we found the physical presence of money and people. Now the gambit has exceeded both people and money,” Indian Police Service officer Shristi Pandey, currently serving as Additional DCP (East District), told NDTV.
She said tracing financial transactions routed through several accounts and converted into cryptocurrencies such as Bitcoin remains a major challenge.
“Tracing money routed through multiple bank accounts and converted into forms like Bitcoin remains a major challenge,” she said.
According to Pandey, online platforms have removed the physical barriers once associated with gambling.
“One no longer needs to move out to do betting. There is no limit to the number of people or the amount of money involved,” she added.
Police Bust Betting Racket During IPL Match
The East District Police recently busted one such betting racket linked to the IPL 2026 season.
The accused were allegedly using applications such as Sky Live Pro and Data Calculation Ver 1.0 to place heavy bets during the Lucknow Super Giants vs Punjab Kings match.
Investigators are currently examining the servers and digital infrastructure used by the operators.
Experts Warn Of Cyber Fraud And Financial Risks
Cybersecurity experts warn that many online betting platforms exploit Indian users while operating outside the country’s legal framework.
Cyber law expert Pawan Duggal said enforcement becomes complicated because many operators are based overseas and refuse to cooperate with Indian authorities.
“Online betting and gambling are prohibited under Indian law, yet these apps continue operating,” he said.
“Foreign operators often refuse to cooperate with Indian law enforcement agencies, making it difficult to trace operators, gather data and take action across jurisdictions,” he added.
Duggal warned that users are often lured into these apps through promises of “quick money” and “easy winnings”, but many eventually face severe financial losses, gambling addiction, cyber fraud and even data theft.
“Law enforcement agencies may need new digital strategies and stronger enforcement mechanisms,” he said, adding that the government already possesses powers to block illegal betting platforms.
Growing Concern Around Gambling Addiction
Investigators and experts say the biggest concern is the addictive nature of real-time IPL betting.
Because wagers can be placed on every ball and every over, users remain engaged continuously throughout the game, often leading to repeated losses and escalating debt.
Authorities have also linked gambling-related financial distress to several cases involving cybercrime, fraud, self-harm and other criminal activity.
With IPL continuing to dominate online attention across India, officials fear betting networks may continue expanding unless stronger monitoring and enforcement mechanisms are introduced.