Daijiworld Media Network - New Delhi
New Delhi, Mar 22: The government has intensified its crackdown on illegal offshore online money gaming platforms, blocking 357 websites and URLs while placing 700 more entities under investigation. The Directorate General of Goods and Services Tax Intelligence (DGGI) is spearheading the enforcement efforts against both domestic and foreign operators in this sector, targeting tax evasion and financial misconduct.
According to the Ministry of Finance, numerous offshore gaming entities are evading Goods and Services Tax (GST) by failing to register, concealing taxable pay-ins, and bypassing tax obligations. Acting in coordination with the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY), the DGGI blocked 357 non-compliant gaming websites under Section 69 of the IT Act, 2000.
Currently, around 700 offshore gaming, betting, and gambling platforms are under scrutiny for violating GST regulations, which classify ‘Online Money Gaming’ as a taxable supply of goods at 28% GST. Operators in this industry are legally required to register under GST, but many evade compliance.
As part of its nationwide crackdown, the DGGI has also targeted and blocked bank accounts associated with these platforms. Nearly 2,000 bank accounts used for collecting money from participants have been attached, with Rs 4 crore seized in coordination with I4C and the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI). Additionally, 392 bank accounts linked to UPI IDs used by offshore gaming platforms have been placed under debit freeze, and Rs 122.05 crore has been provisionally attached.
The DGGI has also identified and taken action against Indian nationals operating gaming platforms from abroad. So far, 166 mule accounts linked to these operations have been blocked, and three individuals have been arrested, with investigations into additional suspects ongoing.
Highlighting a growing concern, the government warned that Bollywood celebrities, cricketers, and social media influencers on platforms like YouTube, WhatsApp, and Instagram have been found promoting these illegal platforms. The public has been urged to exercise caution and avoid engaging with offshore online gaming platforms, as doing so poses risks to personal finances and could indirectly support activities that threaten financial integrity and national security.