Calangute, June 30 -- In a major crackdown on illegal gambling activities, the Calangute Police arrested 18 persons after busting an online cricket betting racket operating from a hotel in Khobravaddo, Calangute, late on Monday night.

Acting on specific information, the police raided the hotel and uncovered an organised online betting operation allegedly being run from the premises. During the raid, officers seized a large number of mobile phones, laptops and other electronic devices suspected to have been used to facilitate the illegal betting activities.

All 18 accused were taken into custody, and the seized electronic gadgets have been confiscated for further investigation. Police are examining the devices to determine the scale of t...