T20 league matches listed on betting app, organisers ‘unaware’

“Unaware”, the Union Territory Cricket Association (UTCA), Chandigarh, authorities were left stunned when matches of the ongoing Chandrashekhar Azad T20 Tournament were reported to be listed on an online betting website.

The betting (which was live during the matches on Friday) on the matches being played at Tau Devi Lal Stadium, Sector 3, Panchkula, was found to be placed under different categories including full match, ball-by-ball, over-by-over and others.

Notably, the betting company is one of the associates of the UTCA for conducting the tournament.

“No player or the UTCA official is involved in the online betting or has any relation with it,” said Sanjay Tandon, UTCA president, adding, “We have a very strict policy and our anti-corruption team is already active. The players and officials stay in isolation during the matches, and no electronic gadgets, even wrist watches, are allowed.”

“As far as involvement of any sponsors or partner is involved, we are not aware of anything. We will look into it and if anyone is found guilty, we won’t hesitate to break our ties with them. Our association works in a very transparent manner. Even during the match, no UTCA official or any member is allowed to visit the players’ area. Police Personnel are posted as anti corruption officer,” the UTCA president said.

The website, which is also available as a mobile application, claims to be a leading online betting site and home to some of the best gaming products. The live betting was open for both the matches played today. The betting allowed bookmakers to make quick bucks (almost triple the bet amount) during the T20 league match. The “maximum” bet was capped as per investment, and after a beyond limit the investment needed approval. A bookmaker has to first include the amount in “deposit” to place the bet.

While the officials refused having any knowledge of betting, sources privy to the developments claimed that it was open during all matches.

The league is being played on the same lines as the IPL, albeit on a lower scale. Various corporate houses, builders and others were allotted teams and the players, who are representing the same teams, were selected by the officials before the start of the tournament.

Sources claimed that the UTCA has tied up with a company to conduct the league. In 2023, the UTCA was paid Rs 11 lakh by the said company. Also, the organisers had reportedly failed to follow the clause III of booking charges of the Sector 16 cricket stadium, which cited “Telecast matches for commercial organisations, institutions, sports associations, companies, banks, corporations and boards and international matches should be charged at Rs 2,00,000 per day from 9 am to 11 pm, including water and electricity charges (flood light charges extra for evening sessions)”.