India Charges Magicwin in Major Online Betting Case

India’s Enforcement Directorate (ED) has submitted a chargesheet against Magicwin, an illegal online betting platform allegedly operated by two Pakistani nationals based in the United Arab Emirates. The filing, made on January 15 before a special PMLA court in Ahmedabad, names 14 individuals and entities in connection with an extensive money laundering investigation.

The case stems from a cybercrime complaint lodged in Ahmedabad and is being pursued under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA). According to Indian media reports, the ED’s investigation links Magicwin’s betting operations directly to unlawful financial flows routed through complex laundering channels.

Cybercrime Complaint Triggered Probe

The inquiry began after Ahmedabad’s cybercrime unit discovered that Magicwin was illegally streaming matches from the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024. Broadcasting rights for the tournament were held exclusively by Star India Private Limited, yet Magicwin allegedly provided unauthorized access to live matches, drawing users through free streams combined with betting opportunities.

Investigators found that the platform functioned as a full-scale betting exchange, accepting wagers on cricket, football, tennis and horse racing. Users were offered live scores, match feeds, and betting interfaces, with transactions routed through multiple mule accounts to obscure financial trails. The operation reportedly extended beyond sports wagering into other gambling activities.

Offshore Structure and UAE-Based Operators

Magicwin was operated under Magicwin Sports Limited, a company registered in the United Kingdom. The ED has identified Gulab Harji Mal and Omesh Kumar Gurnani both Pakistani nationals residing in the UAE as directors of the firm. Authorities allege that the website and its mobile application were used together to facilitate illegal betting while layering transactions to avoid detection.

According to the chargesheet, funds were transferred using hawala networks and cryptocurrencies, further complicating efforts to trace proceeds. Investigators also revealed that social media personalities and celebrities were used to promote the platform, significantly expanding its reach despite India’s tightening stance on illegal betting.

Charges Follow Nationwide Betting Ban

The filing comes months after India imposed a nationwide ban on real-money online gaming and betting in October 2025. Officials described such platforms as a serious threat to financial stability and social welfare, particularly among younger users vulnerable to addictive gambling products.

That ban effectively pushed offshore operators like Magicwin underground while intensifying enforcement actions. With the case now before a special court, authorities are examining how betting revenues were converted into laundered funds, with the potential for asset seizures and further arrests as investigations continue.

Broader Regulatory Implications

Magicwin’s use of high-profile cricket streams during the T20 World Cup played a key role in attracting users, combining popular sports content with illicit gambling. The use of mule accounts dispersed transaction trails, while crypto and informal transfer systems enabled cross-border fund movements.

As the legal process advances, the case underscores India’s increasingly aggressive approach to tackling offshore betting networks and the financial crimes linked to them, particularly those exploiting major sporting events to reach domestic audiences.