Daijiworld Media Network – New Delhi

New Delhi, Mar 23: In a major crackdown on illegal offshore gaming, the finance ministry announced on Saturday that GST intelligence officers have blocked 357 websites linked to unauthorized online betting platforms and frozen nearly 2,400 bank accounts associated with them.

With the Indian Premier League (IPL) season underway, authorities have intensified enforcement efforts to curb illicit gaming operations. A public advisory has been issued, warning citizens against engaging with unregulated offshore platforms and urging them to use only government-approved e-gaming services.

The ministry highlighted concerns over endorsements by Bollywood celebrities, cricketers, and social media influencers, cautioning that such platforms could compromise personal finances and threaten national security.

Currently, around 700 offshore betting firms are under investigation for large-scale tax evasion. Investigators revealed that these companies were bypassing GST regulations and processing transactions through fraudulent "mule" bank accounts, leading to the freezing of ?126 crore across 2,400 accounts.

Authorities also uncovered that some Indian nationals were running offshore betting platforms like Satguru, Mahakaal, and Abhi247, facilitating illegal gambling in India. Three individuals have been arrested so far, with further probes underway.