Indian government blocks 357 offshore gaming websites
The Directorate General of Goods and Services Tax Intelligence has blocked the sites in coordination with the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology.
India.- The Directorate General of Goods and Services Tax Intelligence (DGGI), in coordination with the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY), has blocked 357 offshore online gaming websites under Section 69 of IT Act, 2000. Authorities also blocked 2,400 bank accounts containing a combined Rs.4 crore (US$465.114) allegedly collected from players.
Under the GST law, online gaming for money is classified as a supply of goods, requiring providers to register and pay 28 per cent tax. The DGGI reported 700 offshore entities, which are under scrutiny for evading GST by failing to register and concealing taxable pay-ins.
In another operation, 392 UPI-linked accounts have been put on debit freeze. A total of Rs.122.05 crore (US$14.1m) has been temporarily seized from these accounts.
The DGGI also conducted an operation targeting a group of Indian nationals allegedly involved in operating online gaming from locations outside India through platforms such as Satguru, Mahakaal and Abhi247. They were reportedly using mule bank accounts to collect funds. The DGGI has blocked 166 alleged mule accounts. Three people have been arrested, and investigations are ongoing.
The DGGI said: “Non-compliance by foreign entities distorts fair competition, harms local businesses, and skews the market. These unscrupulous foreign entities circumvent restrictions by creating new web addresses. Investigations also revealed that these companies operated through ‘mule’ bank accounts to process transactions. Funds collected through mule accounts leave the potential to be funneled into illicit activities which may also be dangerous for the national security point of view.
“It has been observed that many Bollywood celebrities and cricketers along with YouTube, WhatsApp, and Instagram influencers, are found endorsing these platforms, and therefore the public is advised to remain cautious and not engage with offshore online money gaming platforms as it may jeopardise their personal finances and indirectly support activities that undermine financial integrity and national security.
“DGGI remains committed to proactively tackle the menace of illegal offshore gaming entities. With the upcoming IPL season, enforcement actions will be more stringent to curb illicit gaming operations. Staying informed and choosing regulated platforms is crucial for responsible gaming.”
