The bookies linked to last year’s Indian Premier League (IPL) for betting and match fixing are under the scanner of Mumbai police again. This time, however, it is for betting on the Lok Sabha elections to be held next month. Sources said they expect heavy betting on the outcome of the Lok Sabha elections, on a scale as heavy as the IPL betting market.
According to a few bookies, odds are already being offered on BJP leader Narendra Modi, Congress Vice president Rahul Gandhi, Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader Arvind Kejriwal for Prime Minister. While the odds on Modi becoming PM are pegged at 42 paise per rupee, the odds are much higher for Rahul Gandhi, at Rs 6.5.
The longest odds however, are reserved for Arvind Kejriwal, for whom bookies are offering a massive Rs 500 per rupee. The bookies seem to be confident that the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) will reach the 272-seat mark and form the next government. Bookies are also offering odds that the BJP will win 200 seats, with bookies offering 22 paise to a rupee for those interested on betting on this eventuality.
Other bets being offered include the Congress winning 70 seats (24 paise per rupee). The general perception in the election betting market appears to be that the ruling party will find it difficult to even cross 100 seats. The approximate turnover of the betting on the Lok Sabha election is likely to reach Rs 70,000 crore, said sources in the Mumbai Police.
“We are keeping a close watch on the bookies arrested in last year’s IPL betting and their movements along with the bookies that are on records. If we get any specific or concrete information about betting, we will take action accordingly based on the information,” Mahesh Patil, deputy commissioner of police, spokesperson of Mumbai police told INNLIVE.
Another police official said that the bookies will bet on anything to get money. “Obiviously, they will bet on the Lok Sabha election which may see a huge turnover,” said the police officer adding the IPL bookies are being watched closely as they have pan-India networks with a strong presence in regions like Gujarat, Rajasthan, Mumbai, Delhi, Banglore, Chennai and Hydrabad. All the bookies arrested in relation to the IPL betting scam are currently out on bail.
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