ED Takes Action Against Pakistan-Linked Online Betting Platform
The Enforcement Directorate has filed a chargesheet against an online betting website named Magicwin. This action targets a platform with Pakistani directors operating from the United Arab Emirates.
Details of the Chargesheet
On Sunday, the federal probe agency announced it filed a prosecution complaint on January 15. This legal document serves as a chargesheet under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act. The special PMLA court in Ahmedabad, Gujarat received the complaint.
A total of fourteen individuals and companies face accusations in this case. The chargesheet names them as accused parties involved with the Magicwin platform.
Background of the Case
The money laundering investigation originated from an Ahmedabad cyber crime police FIR. Authorities booked the portal for unauthorized activities related to cricket broadcasting.
Magicwin illegally hosted, streamed, and broadcast ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2024 matches. Star India Pvt. Ltd. held the official rights for these matches from the International Cricket Council.
Ownership and Operations
Magicwin Sports Ltd. owns the brand portal and operates with registration in the United Kingdom. Pakistani nationals Gulab Harji Mal and Omesh Kumar Gurnani serve as company directors. Both individuals apparently reside in the United Arab Emirates according to ED statements.
The portal and its mobile application functioned as a betting exchange. They provided comprehensive sports betting and leisure gambling services to users.
Betting Activities and Methods
Magicwin offered betting opportunities for multiple sports including cricket, tennis, football, and horse racing. Users could watch live streaming of matches while placing their bets. The platform displayed live scorecards alongside the streaming content.
The website featured live casino games conducted by human dealers rather than automated bots. Popular games included Baccarat, Teen Patti, Roulette, Andar-Bahar, Poker, and Blackjack.
Financial Transactions and Promotion
The platform utilized mule accounts to process financial transactions. These accounts helped conceal the movement of funds generated through betting activities.
Many celebrities and social media influencers promoted Magicwin through advertisements. Their endorsements helped attract users to the betting platform.
Funds from betting activities traveled through hawala networks and cryptocurrencies. These methods facilitated the movement of money while avoiding traditional banking channels.
India's Stance on Online Betting
India implemented a ban on real-money online gaming and betting in 2025. The government declared these activities as financial and social threats to citizens.
Officials expressed concern about the draining of hard-earned money from users. They particularly highlighted the vulnerability of youth populations to these platforms.
The government characterized online betting as a menace that requires strict enforcement measures. This chargesheet represents one such enforcement action against prohibited betting operations.
