Beyond financial crime, the crackdown is also driven by rising social risks. The government has repeatedly warned about the impact of illegal betting apps on vulnerable users, particularly youth
Our Bureau
Dubai / New Delhi
A sweeping enforcement drive against illegal online betting platforms in India—including the attachment of assets worth Rs 1,700 crore in high-profile locations such as Burj Khalifa—marks a decisive escalation in the government’s effort to dismantle what authorities describe as a vast, cross-border financial crime network.
The latest action by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) highlights the scale and sophistication of these operations. According to the agency, the attached properties belong to Sourabh Chandrakar, a key promoter of the Mahadev Online Book betting platform. “The properties considered for attachment… were acquired from the Proceeds of Crime generated by the commission of scheduled offences related to illegal online betting operations,” the ED said.
Investigators say the platform functioned as a global syndicate, with operations spread across multiple domains such as Tiger Exchange, Gold365, and Laser247. “The Mahadev Online Book operated as a large-scale international betting syndicate,” the agency noted, adding that it was structured through a franchise-based network of panels across India while being controlled from Dubai.
The financial scale is significant. The ED has so far attached, seized, or frozen assets worth Rs 4,336 crore in connection with such operations. The agency revealed that “the promoters retained approximately 70-75% of the profits generated by the betting panels,” underlining the enormous profitability of these illegal networks.
A major concern for authorities is the laundering of these proceeds. The ED said funds were “systematically layered through thousands of mules or dummy bank accounts” and later transferred abroad using hawala routes, cryptocurrency, and complex financial mechanisms. These funds were eventually invested in high-value assets in the UAE and India, raising concerns about capital flight and financial system integrity.
Beyond financial crime, the crackdown is also driven by rising social risks. The government has repeatedly warned about the impact of illegal betting apps on vulnerable users, particularly youth. Officials say these platforms often thrive on “misleading promises of quick wealth,” leading to addiction, financial losses, and social distress.
This concern has translated into aggressive regulatory action. In recent weeks, the government has blocked around 300 illegal betting websites and apps, taking the total number of blocked platforms to nearly 8,400. Of these, approximately 4,900 were shut down after the enactment of the Online Gaming Act, reflecting a sharp intensification of enforcement.
Government sources emphasised that the crackdown is part of a broader effort “to protect users especially youth, and to curb financial and social harm caused by illegal online betting and gambling platforms.” The recently enacted Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Bill, 2025, is central to this strategy, aiming to curb predatory practices while enabling a regulated gaming ecosystem.
The seriousness of the issue is also recognised globally. The World Health Organization has classified gaming disorder as a health condition, describing it as “a pattern of behaviour characterised by impaired control… and continuation despite negative consequences.” This has strengthened the case for stricter oversight in countries like India with large digital user bases.
Another driver behind the crackdown is the need to safeguard India’s rapidly expanding digital economy. With increasing internet penetration and over 100 million retail participants in financial markets, unregulated betting platforms pose systemic risks. Illegal financial flows, tax evasion, and cross-border transactions complicate regulatory oversight and undermine investor confidence.
At the same time, authorities are attempting to strike a balance. While illegal operators are being targeted aggressively, the government is also working to promote legitimate online gaming under a structured regulatory framework. The new law seeks to distinguish between games of skill and illegal betting, while ensuring consumer protection and transparency.
The enforcement push is also notable for its scale and coordination. The ED said it has conducted searches at more than 175 premises and arrested 13 individuals so far, while 74 persons have been named as accused in multiple prosecution complaints. It has also moved to declare key accused as fugitive economic offenders under the Fugitive Economic Offenders Act, 2018.
“ED remains committed to dismantling and uprooting the entire illegal betting ecosystem and its international financial network,” the agency said, signalling that the crackdown is far from over.
Ultimately, India’s intensified action against betting apps reflects a convergence of concerns—financial crime, social harm, and regulatory gaps in a fast-evolving digital landscape. By targeting both the money trail and operational networks, the government is seeking to bring accountability to a sector that has operated in the shadows for too long.
