According to Singh, the police had learnt from reliable sources that there were a number of newspapers that published satta results, mainly originating from Maharashtra, which amounted to encouraging gambling, prohibited by the law. Singh, in his circular to the press, added that the provisions of the Bombay Gambling Prevention Ordinance, 1987, had banned satta and had termed the Worli Matka, Haajar Matka and the like as illegal practices.

A number of newspapers had been printing results as well as trends of the satta bazaar under the agencies like `American Bazaar', `Gujarat Ni dhaarna', `New Rattan' and `New Bombay Sabarwal'.

The DG emphasised in the statement that all those who ran these agencies were gamblers and were criminals in the eyes of the law. All those who run or encourage satta dens are liable to imprisonment upto six months and/or fine of Rs 1000, the statement added. The DGP has requested newspapers not to entertain advertisements of satta agents and help the department in its drive against gambling dens.