Rajkot: In a rare bust, Rajkot city’s Detection of Crime Branch (DCB) has uncovered a high-tech gambling racket that combined gadgets, online tricks, and custom-made playing cards.

The mastermind, a Class 10 dropout, became a millionaire after mastering card-cheating techniques through YouTube tutorials.

DCP (Crime) Parthraj Singh Gohil said a tip-off on Thursday led police to the residence of Vipul Patel (38) in Punitnagar, Vavdi area. A raid, led by PI Mehul Gondaliya, uncovered 4,260 chemically coated playing cards, 75 special contact lenses, four sensor-enabled Android smartphones, Bluetooth earpieces, and other devices worth ₹2.7 lakh.

Patel reportedly demonstrated the use of the sensor-fitted cards but not the contact lenses, which allegedly allow players to see opponents’ cards. Police also seized a Bluetooth device capable of relaying opponents’ cards directly into the user’s ear.

Patel admitted to sourcing these cheating kits from Delhi over the past three years, with demand peaking during Shravan, especially around the Saatam-Aatham festivals, when gambling surges across Saurashtra. He revealed he used the kits himself and also sold them for ₹32,000 to ₹60,000 each, depending on buyer requirements.

Officials have registered a preliminary entry (Janva Jog) and sent the seized items for forensic testing while tracking potential buyers. According to PI Gondaliya, these cheating methods are frequently used in private clubs and underground casinos. DeshGujarat