BCB to introduce mobile courts at cricket stadiums to curb betting

Bangladesh will set up special courts at its cricket stadiums to try and convict any punters caught gambling during an upcoming international series, an official said Monday, reports AFP.

Gamblers caught during the tri-nation series against Sri Lanka and Zimbabwe -- starting January 15 -- would be hauled from the stands and tried on the spot by judges in temporary courtrooms, a cricket board official said.

"Betting will be treated as a public nuisance. Anyone found involved will be convicted and punished instantly in the stadium," Bangladesh Cricket Board chief executive Nizamuddin Chowdhury told the news agency.

The special courts will continue to target gamblers during Sri Lanka's tour of Bangladesh, which starts at the end of January after the tri-nation series. Bangladesh and Sri Lanka will play two Test matches and two Twenty20 internationals.

Gambling is illegal but rampant during cricket matches in Bangladesh, where punters exploit a brief delay between live play and the official broadcast of results to place frantic bets.