Mumbai, March 25, 2025 – Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut has leveled a sensational charge, claiming that illegal IPL match betting is rampant in Maharashtra and operating with the tacit protection of the Mumbai Police. The accusation, made on Monday, targets the Eknath Shinde-led government and comes amid the high-octane IPL 2025 season, raising serious questions about law enforcement and organized crime in the state.
Raut alleged that bookies are running unchecked, particularly during IPL matches, with police complicity shielding their operations. “It’s happening openly under the nose of the Mumbai Police, and no action is taken,” he said, as reported by Hindustan Times. He tied this to broader governance failures under Shinde and Deputy CM Devendra Fadnavis, suggesting a nexus between authorities and betting syndicates. The Sena (UBT) leader demanded a probe, but offered no concrete evidence to back his claims.
The timing is notable—IPL 2025 kicked off recently, with betting historically spiking during the tournament. Maharashtra, a cricketing hub, has long grappled with illegal gambling, yet enforcement remains patchy. The state’s DGP has previously vowed crackdowns (Times of India, March 23), but Raut’s allegations cast doubt on their efficacy. Mumbai Police have not responded, leaving the claim unaddressed for now.
This isn’t just political mudslinging—it points to a deeper issue: unregulated betting’s grip on India’s sports culture. With online platforms and cash transactions hard to trace, enforcement lags despite laws like the Public Gambling Act, 1867.
