Aussies are city bookies' favourites

LUCKNOW: Cricket pundits may have been hailing India as contender number one for the cricket World Cup, city bookies have placed Dhoni's Devils at number four.
According to local cops, the betting turnover in the city on the day of world cup matches is likely to touch Rs 15 crore. Like previous editions, Australia are again the favourites for local bookies.The Kangaroos are followed by South Africa. However, a surprise jump in the rating is for England, which, according to the sources, has been given number three slot.
With specific information with Lucknow police that bookies are all set to utilise the cricket world cup by starting illegal betting trade from February 19, the crime branch has constituted a team to nab the operators and those involved in the betting racket.
There are some information of this nature, confirmed SP (crime) Gyan Prakash Chaturvedi and added a team headed by inspector Jatashanker under the supervision of deputy superintendent of police SK Malik had been already constituted to nab those involved in the betting racket during the World Cup.
"Other members of the team consist of two sub-inspectors and six constables," Chaturvedi added. Talking to TOI on phone, a source close to the bookies said the betting racket would flourish in a big way from at least five centres in the state capital.
Refusing to identify the specific location, the source said, betting centres would operate from Hazratganj, Aliganj, Gomtinagar, Mahanagar and Alambagh police circles. Sources also said that top 10 players in the betting have even deposited security amount ranging from Rs 1 lakh to Rs 10 lakh with the betting operators.
Barring this security amount, there will not be any cash transaction during the time of betting. All the transactions would be based on word of mouth through phone or by maintaining a written record, the source said.
Police are also keeping a close watch on at least persons who are likely to visit centres where the matches will be played and might operate through phone from there.