Deepak Mahato
Post news network
Bhubaneswar: Indian fans are geared up to celebrate India’s win against the Aussies in the semifinal at MCG in Melbourne, However, bookies operating in the state are wishing for Australia’s success.
The bookies feel that if India win the semifinal they will suffer heavy losses as the denizens of Orissa have bet heavily on an Indian victory. So victory for the Men in Blue would mean shelling out a lot of lucre for the bookies.
India’s chances of winning the Cricket World Cup are very marginal compared to Australia, claim bookies based in Orissa and who are associated with both national and international betting syndicates. According to sources, around 18 bookmakers of the state are functioning from unidentified locations are associated with the syndicates.
A college going student who regularly bets on cricket matches and makes money however stated that he has never met the bookie through whom he transacts. “It all works over the telephone. Even the money transferred is online,” stated Rahul Mishra (name changed). He also added that one can only approach a bookie through a referral – in this case another person who has been in touch with a particular bookie for a long time.
One of the bookies functioning in Orissa with whom Orissa Post managed to establish contact said, “In the previous IPL seasons the state police had arrested several bookies. We have to take precautions to avoid getting caught.” The bookie added that another important reason for referral is to prevent loss of money. “The whole network runs over phone. First timers have escaped without paying, so referral is must,” he stated.
The bookie did not want to reveal the amount of money invested in betting this season. “This season has been a good time for us. Huge profits have been made,” he informed. He also stated that people betting on Australia will get 50 paise for every rupee and people riding their luck on India will get a return of Rs 21 on one rupee.
However the bookie could not tell where exactly the rates are generated from. He said that his bosses in Mumbai and Delhi direct him about the rates for every match. “I heard that entire system operates out of Dubai,” he stated.
