Crackdown on illegal online gaming firms in India

The Directorate General of Goods and Services Tax Intelligence (DGGI) is increasing actions against online money gaming firms. This comes as the Indian Premier League (IPL) season approaches. Around 700 offshore entities are being investigated for evading Goods and Services Tax (GST). The DGGI has blocked 357 illegal websites and frozen many bank accounts linked to these firms. The finance ministry advises the public to avoid these platforms due to financial and security risks. Many of these offshore companies have failed to register for GST and are hiding taxable income. They often use “mule” bank accounts to collect money from Indian customers. In recent actions, DGGI has frozen over 392 bank accounts linked to these companies, attaching around Rs 122.05 crore. Some individuals running these illegal operations have been arrested. The finance ministry has also noted that popular celebrities and influencers endorse these platforms, which poses a risk to the public's finances and national security. With the IPL season nearing, the DGGI plans to intensify enforcement efforts against unlawful gaming operations. People are urged to stay informed and use regulated gaming platforms for safety and integrity.