Berhampur: Tightening the noose around gamblers, police arrested 15 persons for allegedly indulging in an illegal racket at a village in Odisha’s Ganjam district.

Acting on a tip-off, a team of police personnel carried out a raid on a house at Saru village under the jurisdiction of Hinjili police limits on Saturday night and arrested the 15 persons, who were engaged in gambling.

Two motorcycles, Rs 1.53 lakh cash and 18 mobile phones were seized from the accused persons, most of whom were from Saru village. Efforts are on to nab several others involved in the racket, police said.

A case has been against the accused persons under relevant Sections of IPC.

It may be noted that gambling is banned in Odisha. Under the Odisha Prevention of Gambling Act, 1955, the state government has declared gambling illegal and made it a punishable offense.