Centre blocks 357 illegal offshore online money gaming platforms, 700 under scanner

New Delhi: The government on Saturday stated that it has blocked 357 websites/URLs of illegal/non-compliant offshore online cash gaming entities up to now, and 700 such entities are below the scanner.

The Directorate Overall of Goods and Products and services Tax Intelligence (DGGI) has intensified its enforcement actions against offshore online gaming entities. The glean cash gaming commerce comprises both home and international operators.

“It has been noticed that these entities are evading GST by failing to register, concealing taxable pay-ins, and bypassing tax responsibilities. To this point, 357 websites/URLs of illegal/non-compliant offshore online cash gaming entities appreciate been blocked by the DGGI, in coordination with Ministry of Electronics and Knowledge Expertise (MeitY), below Piece 69 of IT Act, 2000,” the Ministry of Finance stated in a statement.

Around 700 offshore entities excited about the provision of online cash gaming, having a bet and playing are below the DGGI’s scanner.

Below the GST regulation, ‘Online Money Gaming’, being actionable claim, is assessed as a present of ‘Goods’ and is arena to a 28 per cent tax. Entities running on this sector are required to register below GST.

In a recent operation against one of the considerable illegal gaming platforms, DGGI focused and blocked bank accounts that were being veteran to build up cash from contributors, attaching nearly 2,000 bank accounts and Rs 4 crore, in coordination with the I4C and the Nationwide Funds Company of India (NPCI).

In one other action, 392 bank accounts linked to UPI IDs discovered on websites of these form of offshore entities appreciate been build apart on debit freeze and sum totalling Rs. 122.05 crore has been provisionally connected in these accounts, steered the ministry.

One other operation against about a Indian nationals, who were running online cash gaming platforms from beginning air India, change into as soon as performed by DGGI.

“DGGI has up to now blocked 166 mule accounts linked with these platforms. Three such folk appreciate been arrested till now and investigation against more such folk is below growth,” the ministry steered.

“It has been noticed that many Bollywood celebrities and cricketers alongside with YouTube, WhatsApp, and Instagram influencers, are discovered endorsing these platforms, and therefore the final public is steered to remain cautious and never have interaction with offshore online cash gaming platforms as it will jeopardise their deepest budget and by some means beef up activities that undermine financial integrity and national security,” the ministry steered.