Lahore Police Arrest Over 2,000 in Major Gambling Crackdown
Authorities in the Pakistani city have registered 545 cases and seized more than Rs8.3 million in stake money this year, as the city's police chief orders an intensified campaign targeting online gambling with modern technology.
- Lahore police have made 2,069 arrests related to illegal gambling activities so far this year as part of a city-wide operation.
- More than Rs8.3 million (approximately £23,700) in stake money has been recovered during the enforcement action.
- The Capital City Police Officer has directed forces to intensify the crackdown, with a specific focus on using modern technology to combat online gambling.
Law enforcement authorities in Lahore, Pakistan, have conducted a significant city-wide operation against illegal gambling, resulting in a large number of arrests and the registration of hundreds of cases so far this year. Official figures confirm that the crackdown has led to the detention of 2,069 individuals suspected of involvement in gambling activities.
In connection with these arrests, Lahore police have registered a total of 545 separate cases. The operation has also had a considerable financial impact on the illicit gambling rings, with police recovering stake money amounting to more than Rs8.3 million. This sum is equivalent to approximately £23,700, highlighting the scale of the funds being wagered in the city.
Directive to Intensify Efforts
The ongoing enforcement action has been given new impetus by a directive from the city’s most senior police officer. Capital City Police Officer (CCPO) Bilal Siddique Kamyana has instructed his forces to intensify the campaign against all forms of gambling operating within Lahore.
A key element of this new directive is a pronounced focus on tackling the growing challenge of online gambling. According to CCPO Kamyana, police must make full use of modern technology in their efforts to identify and curb these digital operations. This instruction signals a strategic shift towards addressing the technological infrastructure that underpins remote and internet-based betting activities, which often present unique challenges for law enforcement compared to traditional, in-person gambling.
Scale of Enforcement
The statistics from the year to date illustrate the breadth of the police action across the city. The 545 registered cases and 2,069 arrests indicate an average of nearly four suspects being detained for each case filed, suggesting that the police are targeting organised group activities as well as individual offenders. The crackdown appears to be a sustained and coordinated effort rather than a series of isolated raids.
The seizure of over Rs8.3 million in stake money further underscores the operational success of the crackdown. By confiscating the funds used for and generated by these activities, authorities aim to dismantle the financial viability of the illegal gambling networks. This financial disruption is a core component of the overall strategy to suppress the market.
The directive from CCPO Kamyana reinforces that there will be no reduction in pressure on those involved in the illegal gambling trade. His call for an intensified crackdown, particularly with the aid of technology, suggests that police resources will be increasingly allocated to sophisticated surveillance and investigation methods. This approach is intended to ensure that enforcement keeps pace with the evolution of gambling from physical premises to online platforms. The focus remains on a comprehensive, city-wide suppression of all illicit betting.
