The Enforcement Directorate has announced an INR 526.49 crore freeze of movable assets linked to Bengaluru-based real-money gaming platform Gameskraft Technologies Ltd after PMLA searches concluded. The action follows raids across Karnataka and Delhi-NCR between May 7 and May 13. ED claims bank deposits and payment gateway balances, bonds, and fixed deposits were frozen, and it seized INR 3.5 crore in gold, diamond jewellery, bullion, plus INR 11 lakh cash. The agency alleges fraud, including bot-based manipulation, and says proceeds were routed through investments and foreign entities.
The Enforcement Directorate has frozen Rs 526 crore in bank deposits and seized gold jewellery and cash in a PMLA probe targeting Bengaluru-based online gaming firm Gameskraft and three arrested founders. Searches began on May 7 across Delhi-NCR and Karnataka, ending May 13. ED says movable deposits and investments were immobilised while jewellery and cash were confiscated. It alleges the company used illegal bots to manipulate real-money rummy, causing user losses of Rs 1,154 crore and severe distress. Gameskraft denies bot involvement and faces money-laundering accusations.
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The Enforcement Directorate has frozen Gameskraft Technologies assets worth ₹526.49 crore, seizing gold jewellery and cash as part of a money laundering probe. ED claims the company bypassed geolocation bans and used bots to manipulate outcomes, first luring users with small wins before losses at higher stakes. The action follows arrests of cofounders and scrutiny intensified by the 2025 online gaming law.
India’s online gaming industry is seeking guidance from the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology on new gaming rules. Firms say they need clarity on how games will be classified, what compliance is required, and how approvals will work. They also argue that without a phased implementation, both user-safety steps and regulatory adherence could become unclear and inconsistent.
The Enforcement Directorate has arrested three founders of online gaming platform Gameskraft—Deepak Singh, Prithvi Raj Singh, and Vikas Taneja—under the PMLA. The move follows raids and a money laundering case tied to alleged fraud. ED had earlier frozen their bank accounts as part of its investigation, signaling the probe is widening beyond initial allegations.
The eGaming regulator has taken charge as new online gaming rules come into effect, with an in game portal going live today. The immediate focus is on bringing eSports under the registration framework, signaling a tighter compliance push for platforms and operators. The rollout marks a shift from guidance to active regulation and verification from day one.
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Starting May 1, 2026, India sees major policy shifts spanning everyday spending and digital regulation. Oil marketing companies have raised 19-kg commercial LPG cylinder prices by ₹993, while domestic LPG rates reportedly stay steady. At the same time, MeitY operationalised the Online Gaming Rules, 2026, setting up a unified regulator to target illegal “money games,” alongside fresh credit-card related rules.
India’s new online gaming regulations take effect today under the Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Act, 2025. Real money games and betting-style apps are banned, while the new Online Gaming Authority of India tightens compliance. Players will face age checks, parental controls, and grievance systems. Esports and casual social games are still allowed.
MeitY has advised VPN providers and intermediaries to stop enabling access to blocked online betting and prediction markets, citing due-diligence duties under the IT Rules 2021. The ministry says users are bypassing restrictions through VPNs and converting rupees into stablecoins like USDC to participate. The warning intensifies India’s crackdown on real money gaming and opinion trading, despite legal ambiguity.
India has notified the Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Rules, 2026, effective May 1, 2026. The rules operationalise the PROG Act, 2025 and set up the Online Gaming Authority of India (OGAI) to label prohibited money games, enforce via banks and payments, and require age and fair-play safeguards. e-sports and compliant social games get a clearer compliance path.
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India’s Ministry of Electronics and IT will enforce new online gaming rules from May 1, including the creation of the Online Gaming Authority of India. The framework brings game approvals and classifications, mandatory registration for specific titles, and long-valid digital certificates. Money games get stricter oversight, while players will see stronger safety tools such as age checks, parental controls, and a clearer grievance process.
The GST Council will hold a virtual meeting on August 2 to finalize legal amendments for the 28% tax levy on online gaming, casinos, and horse racing. The maximum slab was decided on July 11 and applies to full face value. Officials say there is no change of heart, only work underway to settle technical and legal details.
The government has notified new online gaming rules effective May 1, meant to clarify what qualifies as non-money online games while keeping bans on online money games intact. The rules create a digital-first Online Gaming Authority of India, set registration for esports and social games, and require safety, transparency, grievance redressal, plus penalties and appeals for violations.
MeitY has announced new rules for online games, exempting games without real money stakes from mandatory registration. Real money games will face stricter evaluation, while banks and payment firms will be responsible for enforcing bans. Competitive e-sports will be classified separately, and required user safety features are set to apply across platforms.
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A Rajasthan man described by his family as quiet and disciplined is accused of a brutal rape and murder in Delhi and a separate sexual assault in Alwar within 24 hours. His relatives deny involvement, alleging the case may stem from a financial dispute tied to online gaming. Investigators are expected to examine the timeline and links behind the allegations.
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