The countdown of IPL 2025 has started, but while on one side there will be a fight of bat and ball on the field, on the other hand the government has also shown its strict attitude. As soon as the new season of the Indian Premier League came close, there was a huge jump in online illegal betting cases. Now the Directorate General of GST Intelligence (DGGI) is gearing up and has initiated major action on these offshore illegal betting platforms running across the country.
Flood of betting platforms as soon as IPL arrives
Every year the IPL starts, there is a flood of illegal online betting sites and apps in India. People put millions of rupees at stake without thinking, and take advantage of this, these illegal platforms, which are operating outside the scope of India’s law.
- As the IPL matches become exciting, the betting market also gets hot.
- These platforms not only steal tax, but have also become a big threat to the economic and cyber security of the country.
DGGI’s big action – 357 URLs blocks so far, seizing 126 crores
The government has not taken any kind of disgrace this time.
According to DGGI’s latest reports:
- 357 illegal online betting websites and URLs have been blocked.
- About 2400 bank accounts have been investigated, out of which ₹ 126 crore has been seized.
- The investigation against about 700 foreign betting platforms is still going on.
The special thing in this is that the link to these websites and accounts has been linked to the betting scams associated with IPL. Not only this, many platforms were trying to hide transactions through fake bank accounts.
The purpose is to stop tax evasion and save national security
There is a major objective of this strictness of DGGI-preventing tax evasion and rein in illegal economic activities growing during IPL.
- In every IPL season, black money of millions of rupees goes out of the system through these illegal betting sites.
- Many times these money also connects with terror funding or international cybercrime, which is very dangerous for the security of the country.
Stars also under investigation – social media promotion became trouble
Bollywood and cricket connection with IPL is old, but this time the matter is different.
DGGI has monitored celebrities who were promoting these illegal betting apps on social media.
FIRs of these names:
- Light raj
- Rana Daggubati
- Vijay Devarakonda
The Hyderabad Police has registered an FIR against more than 25 celebs. It is alleged that these people became the brand ambassador of these platforms with a large amount and misled millions of followers.
Government will be severely guarded in IPL season
On March 23, as soon as the first match will begin between KKR and RCB at the Eden Garden Stadium in Kolkata, the government will also keep its eyes.
DGGI and other agencies have already told that the monitoring will be fast in the entire season of IPL 2025:
- A close watch on suspected online transaction
- Strict action on celebrity endorsement
- Monitoring of banking network and digital payment gateway
There is a possibility that there will be more arrests in the coming weeks and many other sites will be banned.
Direct warning to general public
The government and DGGI have once again warned people that:
- Online betting is illegal – joining it is a legal offense.
- This can not only cause financial loss, but can also stole your identity and bank details.
- Use only gaming platforms that are registered under the rules of the Government of India.
Special advice for investors
If you are an investor or thinking of putting money on a platform, then think twice.
- According to the government, no unreserved platform is worth trusting.
- In such a situation, if you are a victim of fraud, then you will not get any legal protection.
