Pune: Gambling den operators switch to mobile phones

PUNE: As the city police have continuously taken action against illegal gambling dens, especially in the old parts of the city and few suburban areas, the operators of these illicit facilities have started accepting bets on their cell phones.
However, a team headed by inspector Rajendra Mohite raided a closed gambling den in Rasta Peth where two men were found accepting the betting numbers on the phone recently.
The police team seized two cell phones and cash of Rs 5000, totally worth Rs 9000, from the gambling den located near the Apollo talkies in Rasta Peth. Later police arrested Akash Taru (23) of Kasba Peth and Hemant Dighe (42) of Sangamwadi. Police said that Dighe was operating the den.
A case against the two men has been lodged with the Samarth police station.
Police said that there is a continuous drive against the illegal gambling dens in the city. Majority of the establishments located in Raviwar Peth, Budhwar Peth and other adjoining areas are closed.
In such a situation, the gambling den operator came up with an idea to start gambling using the cell phone. According to police, the den operators are maintaining a list of their customers who bids for numbers and pays the fees using online payment applications.
The den operators conduct the gamble and make calls the winner on his cell phone.