Bhubaneswar, Oct. 5: Conventional methods of gambling in the city have turned hi-tech with police unearthing a gambling unit of 11 people duping people by Internet in Ganganagar area on Wednesday night.

Police busted an online gambling den being operated by 11 people at Ganganagar last night.

The cops seized Rs 30000 in cash and two laptops from the gambling unit, which had been operating for past 18 months.

Gamblers had to put in money on any number from 0 to 9. 'One unit of investment is Rs 11 and one could invest in multiples of 11 on a particular number. Later, the result of draw was announced through the Internet,' said a police officer.

Further investigation revealed that the gambling unit deliberately declared the numbers with less money invested as the lucky one.

'A decoy planted by us visited the unit for three days and invested around Rs 5,000 on different numbers. However, he could only win Rs 100,' said the police official.

The police said most gambling dens cheat people through games of dice and cards. The cops said two card games - Manga Patta and Teen Patti - were the most popular in the city's gambling circles.

Conventional gambling rackets involve two to three people and while one of the members keep on winning money, the other entices gullible people to invest. On September 16, the police had busted a racket in Tamando and had arrested 13 persons besides seizing Rs 1.43 lakh.

Police commissioner Y.B. Khurania said a well-organised racket is involved in the gambling unit operating through Internet.

'We are trying to identify other members of the gambling unit. The police stations concerned have been asked to intensify drive against gambling,' said Khurania.

Berhampur police today arrested 87 gamblers after conducting raid at various places. The cops raided nine gambling dens under B.N. Pur and Bada Bazaar police limits and seized Rs 8 lakh from the gamblers.

Thc cops also nabbed 18 persons and seized Rs 68,000 during a raid on a gambling den in Paralakhemundi in Gajapati district.