Indian bookies held for offering bets on riots

Police have arrested 81 bookmakers for offering bets on the likelihood of religious riots breaking out in a state bordering Gujarat, where more than 660 people were killed in Hindu-Muslim violence.

Superintendent Anand Shrivastav said two of the bookies, Genda Lal and Satyanarain, were offering odds of 1/4 to 1/6 in favour of riots breaking out in Jaipur, the capital of Rajasthan state.

Supt Shrivastav said the bookies had created panic in Jaipur by spreading rumours of impending riots to drum up business. They also offered odds on estimated casualties, he said.

The bookies were arrested on Wednesday and yesterday. Gambling is illegal in India, though underground bookies thrive. They face up to a year in prison if convicted.