India's Online Betting Ban Falls Flat Amid Allegations of Laundering and Corruption
India's attempt to ban online betting has not had the desired effect. The Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Act (PROGA) was passed a year ago, imposing a total ban on online real money games such as poker, rummy, and cricket.
The law also included non-bailable warrants, imprisonment, and stiff fines to deter virtual casinos and bookies. However, despite the tough legislation, a banned gambling app has allegedly laundered ₹90,000 cr so far, with its sister websites still operational.
According to reports, the kingpin behind the operation is pulling levers from a comfortable prison cell in Oman, assisted by bookmakers, hawala agents, and hired hands to collect money from players.
The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has frozen ₹2,000 cr assets belonging to the notorious app and arrested a few mid-level actors linked to it. However, the puppet-masters remain safely out of reach with their Gulf hideouts and Vanuatu citizenships.