OFFSHORE GAMING APPS
Denied tickets, betting sites still vie for seats in poll arena
Offshore betting apps in India allow users to bet on elections using rupees. Criminals use mule accounts for money laundering, evading taxes. Gaming experts noted a smaller scale of betting in the 2019 general elections.
"Stay safe while gaming online!" alerts MHA's Cyber wing
The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has issued a warning about frauds via gaming apps, urging caution when engaging in online gaming. The Indian Cybercrime Coordination Centre (14C) under the MHA's Cyber Wing has advised people to download apps only from authentic sources, check game app publishers' information for legitimacy, and avoid falling into the trap of in-app purchases and subscription offers.
Eruditus plans India flip; Ayodhya boost for spiritual apps
Indian IT majors are eyeing upcoming US federal contracts as several large deals are set for renewal in the next two quarters. While it is still challenging for Indian companies to win these contracts, there is a more positive attitude towards Indian-heritage suppliers.
India's government blocked 174 betting and gambling sites
The Indian government has blocked 581 applications, including 174 betting and gambling app, Pankaj Chaudhury, the minister of state for finance, told the parliament on Monday. Some prominent platforms operating illegally include Parimatch, Fairplay, 1XBET, Lotus365, Dafabet, and Betwaysatta.
Ministers group likely to discuss e-gaming on December 15
While the GoM has conducted “a couple of informal meetings” so far, the first official meeting is likely to set the tone for the process of regulating online gaming, with a specific focus on how to effectively tax the sector and avoid “any illegal gambling or betting, especially from off-shore players”.
Group of ministers may deliberate on issues related to online gaming on Dec 15
While the GoM has conducted "a couple of informal meetings" so far, the first official meeting is likely to set the tone for the process of regulating online gaming, with a specific focus on how to effectively tax the sector and avoid "any illegal gambling or betting, especially from off-shore players", said one of the persons, who did not wish to be identified.
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Real money egaming banned? Players now game the system
Banned in some states, gamers take WhatsApp & Telegram route, mask location to keep playing.
Offshore betting ads concerning, says ASCI amid increased scrutiny on betting apps
The Advertising Standards Council of India (ASCI) has expressed concerns over the advertising of betting apps featuring well-known celebrities, as scrutiny on such apps and their links to celebrities widens. ASCI emphasized that betting is illegal in many parts of India, making its advertising impermissible. The council highlighted the issue of offshore betting ads, featuring prominent Indian celebrities and being shown to Indian audiences, as a matter of concern.
Govt bans Mahadev, 21 illegal betting apps; cyberattacks against India spike
Controversial betting app Mahadev is among 22 illegal betting apps that the government ordered to be blocked on Sunday, following an investigation and raids by the Enforcement Directorate (ED). This and more in today’s ETtech Morning Dispatch.
Nazara eyes tax crisis-hit real money game companies
The RMG industry is facing a tax demand of more than Rs 1.5 lakh crore, after the government decided to levy a 28% GST on deposits made by users to play a game, instead of on the winnings.
Offshore egaming apps try no-GST ploy to woo users; Binny Bansal’s Curefoods push
Offshore entities of Indian real money gaming apps are trying to lure customers with social media ads, promising their bets won’t be taxed under the 28% slab of the Goods and Services tax (GST). This and more in today’s ETtech Morning Dispatch.
Offshore gaming apps lure users with ‘No GST’ carrot
Most of these apps are now trying to win over customers, advertising that bets placed on their platforms would not face any GST, people in the know told ET.
Offshore real money gaming apps lure users with 'No GST' carrot
India-based real money gaming (RMG) applications are challenging a tax demand of over ₹1.5 lakh crore from the Directorate General of GST Intelligence (DGGI). Meanwhile, offshore RMG apps are actively advertising that they do not attract GST, taking advantage of the 28% GST imposed on RMG apps in India from October 1.
Govt plans stricter rules to deter betting apps; Indian cricket jerseys fly off ecommerce shelves
To curtail the spread of illegal online gambling and betting via offshore platforms in the country, the Centre is planning to tighten the rules, especially on UPI payments. This and more in today’s ETtech Top 5.
Centre planning to raise odds against illegal betting companies
The government found as many as 114 illegal betting and gambling platforms operating in India through domain farming, people aware of the details told ET.
ED summons Bollywood actor Ranbir Kapoor in an illegal betting app case
The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has summoned Bollywood actor Ranbir Kapoor for his alleged involvement in the Mahadev Book App illegal online betting case. The ED claims that Kapoor endorsed the app on social media and received payments from it. The agency wants to know the contact and payment details from the actor, as well as the main accused who are suspected to be in Dubai.
On a sticky wicket: From Aishwarya Rai to Jacqueline Fernandez, 5 celebs who were questioned by ED
Bollywood star Ranbir Kapoor recently got into hot water as he was summoned by the ED in connection with a shady online gaming app.
A Rs 200 cr wedding that opened gates to a Rs 5,000 cr scam: The men behind Mahadev betting app
The Enforcement Directorate (ED) in India has summoned Bollywood actor Ranbir Kapoor as part of its probe into the Mahadev Book App case, involving illegal online betting. The ED suspects the total amount involved to be over Rs 5,000 crore. Several other Bollywood personalities are also under scrutiny for allegedly receiving payments to attend or perform at the wedding.
ED seizes Rs 417 crore in connection with betting app Mahadev; what we know about the case so far
The Enforcement Directorate has seized assets worth Rs 417 crore from locations linked to the betting app Mahadev. The app, started by Sourabh Chandrakar and Ravi Uppal, is accused of aiding illegal betting websites and laundering money through benami bank accounts. The ED has conducted searches in multiple cities and arrested four accused so far.
Cabinet approves CGST Act amendment to implement 28% GST on online gaming
The Indian cabinet has given the green light to amend the Central Goods and Services Tax Act so as to allow for the introduction of a 28% goods and services tax rate on horse racing, online gaming and casinos, according to unnamed insiders. Although states will need to amend their individual GST legislation separately, the new tax system will go live from 1 October if all is passed in parliament in time.
Now, international platforms wooing Indian gamers with ‘No GST’ messages
These platforms are offering micro-influencers up to Rs 1,000 per post on social media platforms such as X (Twitter), Instagram and Facebook, asking users to switch to their platforms.
28% GST on online gaming could boost revenue collection tenfold
However, the industry claims the move threatens to make the $20 billion online gaming sector unviable.
Game over: Indian gaming companies fear thousands of job cuts after GST increase
The Indian GST Council's decision to levy 28 per cent GST on online gaming, casinos, and horse racing was met with criticism, with companies calling it a step toward destroying the online gaming industry. They have said that the GST might render legitimate online gaming unviable, increase the outflow of foreign exchange, and force players to migrate to offshore sites.
Online gaming companies say 28% GST to hit their business
The All India Gaming Federation (AIGF), which represents companies like Nazara, GamesKraft, Zupee and Winzo, said the decision by the council is unconstitutional, irrational, and egregious.
28% GST on online gaming 'unconstitutional, irrational, egregious', says industry
The 50th GST Council has announced its decision to levy a 28% GST on online gaming, along with horse racing and casinos which comes as a drawback to online gaming companies.
Binance hooks Indian crypto traders; Meity gets three SRO proposals for online gaming
Embrace the Monday blues, and the other colours will follow. And now the top news of the day. Binance, the largest cryptocurrency exchange in the world, has found a way to draw Indian traders on to its platform to buy and sell cryptos while enabling them to settle deals in rupees. This and more in today’s ETtech Morning Dispatch.
Offshores online gaming companies: ED raids 25 locations, remittance to the tune of Rs 4,000 crore under scanner
Remittance to the tune of Rs. 4000 crore allegedly made in the guise of payments for import of goods and services is under scanner. Rs. 19.55 lacs in cash, US$2695 and 55 bank accounts of firms being used for layering and remitting income generated from online gaming in the guise of remittances against import of goods and services have also been frozen, the agency said in a statement on Tuesday.
MIB asks state chief secretaries to impose ban on outdoor media online betting ads
The letter follows similar advisories issued by the MIB against advertisements run by online betting and gambling platforms on TV, print, and digital media, including social media intermediaries like Google, Facebook, and Twitter. In his letter to the chief secretaries dated May 2, MIB secretary Apurva Chandra noted that online betting and gambling ads have been curbed in mainstream print, electronics, and digital media.
GST officers detect tax evasion by offshore entities providing online betting, gambling
These online betting and gambling apps are available on Google Play Store for android phone users and App Store for iOS users and can be freely downloaded.
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