Govt Blocks 357 Illegal Online Gaming Websites Ahead of IPL
The Directorate General of Goods and Services Tax Intelligence (DGGI) has taken a significant step to curb illegal online gaming activities in the country by blocking 357 websites or URLs of offshore online money gaming firms. This move comes ahead of the Indian Premier League (IPL) season, which is expected to attract a massive following and generate significant revenue. The DGGI has also attached nearly 2,400 bank accounts and frozen around ₹126 crore in connection with the illegal activities.
According to sources, the DGGI has been conducting a thorough investigation into the illegal online gaming firms, which have been operating in the country without complying with the necessary rules and regulations. The firms have been offering online gaming services, including fantasy gaming, poker, and other forms of gaming, without obtaining the required licenses and permits.
The blocking of the websites and URLs is a significant step towards curbing the illegal online gaming activities in the country. The DGGI has been working closely with banks and other financial institutions to identify and freeze the accounts of the illegal gaming firms. The move is expected to prevent the illegal firms from continuing their activities and to recover the illegal gains made by them.
The DGGI has also issued notices to about 700 offshore online gaming entities over non-compliance with the rules and regulations. The entities have been asked to obtain the necessary licenses and permits and to comply with the tax laws of the country. Failure to comply with the notices may result in further action, including the attachment of assets and the imposition of penalties.
The move by the DGGI is seen as a major crackdown on the illegal online gaming industry in the country. The industry has been growing rapidly in recent years, with many individuals and entities offering online gaming services without complying with the necessary rules and regulations. The illegal activities have been generating significant revenue, but they have also been causing financial losses to the government and legal gaming operators.
The blocking of the websites and URLs is expected to have a significant impact on the illegal online gaming industry. The illegal firms will no longer be able to operate in the country, and their assets will be frozen. The move is also expected to prevent the illegal activities from spreading and to promote legal gaming activities in the country.
The DGGI has been working closely with other government agencies, including the Enforcement Directorate (ED) and the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), to crack down on the illegal online gaming industry. The agencies have been conducting joint investigations and raids to identify and prosecute the illegal gaming firms.
The crackdown on the illegal online gaming industry is seen as a major step towards promoting a safe and regulated gaming environment in the country. The government has been working towards creating a framework for online gaming, which will ensure that the industry is regulated and that illegal activities are prevented.
The blocking of the websites and URLs is a significant step towards achieving this goal. The move is expected to send a strong message to the illegal gaming firms that the government will not tolerate illegal activities in the country. The government has also been working towards creating a culture of compliance, where individuals and entities are encouraged to comply with the rules and regulations.
In conclusion, the blocking of 357 illegal online gaming websites or URLs by the DGGI is a significant step towards curbing illegal activities in the country. The move is expected to prevent the illegal gaming firms from continuing their activities and to recover the illegal gains made by them. The government has been working closely with other agencies to crack down on the illegal online gaming industry, and the move is seen as a major step towards promoting a safe and regulated gaming environment in the country.
