Cricket betting is on the rise in Vizag

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Visakhapatnam: Cricket betting is on the rise in Vizag city and  spreading fast to Anakapalle and Narsipatnam areas in the district too.
Though cops are unable to spell out the exact turnover of the betting trade, they suspect lakhs  of rupees change hands during cricket matches particularly during and Indo-Pak matches.
Ironically, cops have failed to crack the whip on the betting racket despite of complaints.
Though few have struck it rich in betting many more have lost their hard earned money in betting. Though aware of the betting racket police claim to be clueless about where it is being conducted.
Inspector of Task Force Police R. Srinivas says that few youngsters are leading the good life having got lucky in betting particularly in Gajuwaka, Lawsons Bay Colony, Siripuram.
Sources say that while  cops are going after the small fry the big organisers escape the police net and continuing the nefarious activity from places including hotels, clubs and even apartments in multi-storied buildings in the city.
Betting is also conducted on mobile phones.
Inspector Srinivas says that some people enjoy betting while watching the game.
Commissioner of Police B. Shivadhar Reddy says  that plans are afoot to crackdown on betting on cricket as it could lead to bigger crimes.
He said they would form special teams to bust the cricket betting rackets in the city.
A senior police official  says the betting racket gathers momentum particularly when India plays against Pakistan, Australia and South Africa.