All India Gaming Federation demands action against offshore betting websites

The All India Gaming Federation (AIGF) has sent a letter to Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, seeking government action against offshore betting websites that illegally operate in the country.

“One of the alarming issues that has come to our attention is that many online gambling and betting websites operated by companies based outside India in tax havens are luring and accepting bets from Indian citizens. These websites operating in India are not only causing citizens to be lured to the addiction and risk of gambling and losing their hard-earned money but also poses a national security threat as these transactions lead to outflow of money outside India through unaccounted and clandestine means,” it said.

The letter lists nine such websites, including some well-known companies like  betfair.com, jetwin.com, and bet365.com.

 “AIGF has further asked the central government to take steps to block the foreign websites accepting deposits from Indian players under the Information Technology Act and Rules. It has further asked Prime Minister Modi to direct the Enforcement Directorate (ED) to conduct a comprehensive probe against the offshore gambling websites for violations of the Prevention of Money-Laundering Act, 2002; Foreign Exchange Management Act, 2000 and other laws,” said Jay Sayta, founder of Glaws.in, a website on gambling laws.