India Cracks Down on Illegal Offshore Gaming Platforms; 357 Sites Blocked, ₹126 Crore Seized
In a major crackdown on illegal offshore online gaming platforms, the Indian government has blocked 357 websites and URLs under Section 69 of the Information Technology Act, 2000. This action was taken by the Directorate General of Goods and Services Tax Intelligence (DGGI) in collaboration with the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) to tackle tax evasion and safeguard national financial integrity.
The move follows a detailed investigation which revealed that several Bollywood celebrities, cricketers, and social media influencers were endorsing these platforms. Authorities have raised concerns about the potential risk to individual finances and the indirect threat to national security posed by these unauthorized offshore entities. “Engaging with offshore online money gaming platforms may jeopardize personal finances and also support activities that undermine financial integrity and national security.”
Illegal Offshore Gaming
Online money gaming platforms—both domestic and foreign—fall under the purview of Goods and Services Tax (GST) regulations and are taxed at 28%. These platforms are treated as suppliers of actionable claims under the GST framework. Despite these laws, nearly 700 offshore operators have come under scrutiny for not registering under GST, hiding pay-in amounts, and evading taxes.
GST Evasion Crackdown
The DGGI has carried out extensive enforcement measures, resulting in the blocking of nearly 2,000 bank accounts related to these illegal platforms. A total of ₹4 crore has been seized in collaboration with cybercrime and payments authorities. Furthermore, 392 bank accounts linked to UPI IDs present on offshore gaming websites have been frozen, leading to the provisional attachment of ₹122.05 crore. This brings the total amount frozen to ₹126 crore.
DGGI Enforcement Measures
Investigations also revealed that certain Indian nationals have been operating gaming platforms targeting Indian users from abroad. Notable names such as Satguru Online Money Gaming Platform, Mahakaal Online Money Gaming Platform, and Abhi247 Online Money Gaming Platform have come under the scanner. These platforms were found using mule accounts to collect funds. Authorities have blocked 166 such bank accounts and arrested three individuals involved in these operations.
With the Indian Premier League (IPL) season approaching, enforcement agencies are expected to ramp up surveillance to prevent a surge in illegal gaming activities. The public has been urged to remain cautious. “Engaging with offshore online money gaming platforms may jeopardize personal finances and also support activities that undermine financial integrity and national security.”
These enforcement actions reflect the government’s ongoing commitment to protect the digital financial ecosystem and ensure compliance with India’s tax and cybersecurity laws.
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