Telangana CID Dismantles Major Betting Network, Arrests 11 and Issues Warning to Celebrity Promoters

Hyderabad: The Telangana CID has successfully dismantled a significant betting network linked to Dafa Bet, resulting in the arrest of 11 suspects and exposing connections to an interstate online gambling operation.

According to CID chief Charu Sinha, the agency concluded a comprehensive investigation into online betting matters that had been assigned to the department under the oversight of a Special Investigation Team (SIT). The investigation revealed an expansive betting enterprise operating across multiple Indian states, with particular focus on the role of promoters who marketed betting platforms through various digital mediums.

The inquiry centred on a Dafa Bet online betting complaint originating from Karimnagar. A task force of 40 officers executed a 15-day investigative sweep spanning several states, culminating in the apprehension of 11 individuals from Delhi, Gujarat, and Punjab.

The probe uncovered that the platform's operators were generating between Rs 8 lakh and Rs 10 lakh daily through their betting operations. Authorities also took action against the financial infrastructure supporting the racket, freezing 46 bank accounts that served as conduits for money transfers related to the scheme.

The Dafa Bet platform alone generated 225 complaints originating from eight states, prompting authorities to register 73 criminal cases. On a broader scale, the CID has registered 414 online betting cases throughout Telangana and identified 108 separate betting applications. The agency has submitted recommendations to the central government for banning these platforms.

In a separate development, the CID summoned 25 celebrities and social media personalities involved in promoting betting applications. After counselling sessions, officials warned these individuals that endorsing illegal betting platforms constitutes a criminal offence.

Charu Sinha stated that the agency had extended an opportunity to these promoters to modify their behaviour. She cautioned that continued promotion of betting applications would trigger stringent legal proceedings.