Online gambling mastermind arrested in Odisha’s Bolangir

The man behind a notorious illegal online betting and gambling syndicate has been apprehended in the Bolangir district.

The accused has been identified as Laksheswar Mallik, who is a resident of Paikasamara village under Saintala police station in the district.

Over two years, Laksheswar reportedly amassed significant wealth, leading an opulent lifestyle that recently came to light. Earning between Rs 10-12 lakh per month, he allegedly defrauded the public through illegal betting apps. 

As per reports, a tip-off led Bolangir Cyber Police to arrest him, exposing the clandestine nature of online gambling in India.

The Rise & Fall of Lakheswar

Laksheswar, a degree holder without stable employment, was ostensibly running a State Bank customer service point. However, his true activities were far from legitimate. He allegedly engaged in unlawful operations via over 50 illegal betting platforms, including popular games like Rummy and Teen Patti, amassing considerable funds.

Following his arrest, authorities were stunned by his wealth. Investigations revealed that Mallik earned Rs 10-12 lakh per month from online betting. Within a span of two years, he acquired several properties, luxury vehicles, and land, visibly indulging in his riches. 

Officials confiscated assets worth lakhs, including Rs 7 lakh in cash, 14 high-end mobile phones such as iPhones, laptops, POS machines, and an array of vehicles, including a Mahindra Thar. Additionally, bank accounts containing Rs 25 lakh were frozen.

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"He (Laksheswar) was facilitating online betting and gambling through these apps. People were lured to download the apps and play the game for easy money. However, all the people have lost their money," said Bolangir SP Abhilash G.

"We are investigating the matter if any syndicate is involved in it. We request people to refrain from betting and gambling activities through online apps," he added.

Growing Concerns Over Online Betting

This incident highlights the expansive reach of online gambling networks. Approximately 14 crore individuals engage with 300 platforms daily in India, with numbers soaring to 37 crores during significant events like the Indian Premier League (IPL), as per sources. 

The repercussions extend beyond financial losses, affecting physical health and social and familial relationships. Despite suffering losses, many continue to gamble, lured by the promise of quick monetary gains. 

Despite the Public Gambling Act of 1867 deeming gambling illegal, the absence of specific regulations concerning online betting provides loopholes that these entities exploit.

What Experts Say

"There should be proper awareness activities among the youths to abstain from illegal activities like betting and gambling to acquire easy wealth," said Dharmendra Nanda, an intellectual.

"We have a reward centre in the middle portion of our brain. The reward centres get activated in case of people who play in betting and gambling apps, and they gradually become addicted to it. If we provide the person proper substitutions from which he/she will derive the same kind of pleasure, the addiction will gradually wane," said psychiatrist Dr Samrat Kar.