Telegram has become the new hub for illegal gambling across South Asia. Encrypted and private, its group and channel features offer a perfect shield for those running underground betting rings, particularly in Bangladesh, India, and Sri Lanka.
These groups facilitate betting on sports, online casino games, and even cryptocurrency speculation. Transactions are made using mobile wallets or digital currencies, allowing them to avoid traditional banking surveillance. Operators frequently change group names and use fake identities, making it difficult for law enforcement to track them.
Despite periodic crackdowns, these networks quickly re-emerge. Regional cybercrime units are calling for Telegram’s cooperation and tighter control over financial tools used in these illegal transactions.
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