ED Cracks Down on Offshore Betting Platform, Files Money-Laundering Case Against Magicwin
India’s financial crime watchdog, the Enforcement Directorate, has tightened the noose around illegal online betting operations, filing a detailed prosecution complaint against an offshore betting platform operated by foreign nationals with links to Pakistan and the Gulf.
In a statement issued on Sunday, the agency said it has named 14 individuals and entities as accused in the case relating to Magicwin Sports Ltd., an online betting and gambling portal that allegedly operated in violation of Indian law.
The chargesheet—filed on January 15 before a special PMLA court in Ahmedabad—stems from a cybercrime FIR registered in Ahmedabad.
Investigators allege the platform illegally hosted and streamed matches of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024, despite exclusive digital and broadcast rights being held by Star India Pvt. Ltd., under licence from the International Cricket Council.
Although Magicwin Sports Ltd. is registered in the United Kingdom, the ED claims its key decision-makers—Pakistani nationals Gulab Harji Mal and Omesh Kumar Gurnani—are operating from the United Arab Emirates.
The agency said the portal functioned as a full-fledged betting exchange, offering a wide spectrum of sports wagering and casino-style gambling.
According to investigators, the platform facilitated betting on cricket, tennis, football and horse racing, while simultaneously providing live match streams and real-time scorecards to users.
Beyond sports, Magicwin allegedly ran live casinos with human dealers—offering games such as Teen Patti, Baccarat, Roulette, Poker, Blackjack and Andar-Bahar—blurring the line between online gaming and organized gambling.
The ED further alleged that the operation relied heavily on “mule” bank accounts to move funds, with proceeds eventually being siphoned off through hawala channels and cryptocurrencies to evade detection.
The agency also flagged the role of celebrities and social media influencers who allegedly promoted the platform, helping it reach a large user base.
India banned real-money online gaming and betting in 2025, describing it as both a financial drain and a social hazard—particularly for young users.
Officials say the Magicwin case highlights how offshore platforms continue to exploit digital loopholes, foreign jurisdictions and influencer marketing to target Indian audiences despite the ban.
The investigation is ongoing, with authorities signalling that further action may follow as financial trails and promotional networks are examined.
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