The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has unearthed a ₹1,000 crore online betting scam involving the platform ‘Magicwin’, which was run by Pakistani nationals from Dubai. The platform, disguised as a gaming website, was found to be conducting illegal betting operations in India, including the unauthorized streaming of cricket matches.
In January 2026, the ED intensified its crackdown by filing a formal chargesheet (prosecution complaint) before a special PMLA court in Ahmedabad, naming 14 individuals and entities as accused.
ED’s investigation exposed a network of over 50 shell companies, 100+ fake bank accounts, and large-scale money laundering. Several Bollywood celebrities are also under the scanner for promoting the app at its launch and on social media.
ED Raids Across Multiple Cities
On December 10-12, 2024, the ED conducted searches at 21 locations across Ahmedabad, Surat, Bangalore, Lucknow, Delhi, Mumbai, and Pune as part of its probe into the Magicwin betting app case. The agency seized the operator’s office of Magicwin and recovered ₹3.55 crore in cash. Additionally, bank funds totaling approximately ₹30 lakh were frozen.
The searches were carried out under the provisions of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), based on an FIR registered by the Cyber Crime Police in Ahmedabad. During the raids, the ED seized various incriminating documents and digital devices related to the case.
Pakistani Ownership And Dubai Operations
The ED’s investigation has revealed that while the Magicwin website is operated from Dubai, it is actually owned by Pakistani nationals. The agency has specifically identified the directors as Gulab Harji Mal and Omesh Kumar Gurnani, both Pakistani nationals residing in the UAE. The betting activities, including deposits, placing of bets, and withdrawals, are controlled by the owners based in Dubai and Pakistan.
The agency found that the betting games shown on the Magicwin website are originally played in countries like the Philippines, where betting activities are legal. However, these games are re-telecasted on the Magicwin platform by copying the APIs (Application Programming Interfaces) of the original games.
Money Laundering And Shell Companies
One of the most concerning aspects of the Magicwin scam is the elaborate money laundering operation uncovered by the ED. The agency has found that more than 50 bogus companies and over 100 fake bank accounts were used to route the illicit funds.
The money deposited by players and bettors into bank accounts linked to the Magicwin website was diverted through various layers of shell and mule bank accounts. The profits were then invested in crypto assets, withdrawn in cash, or sent to Dubai through hawala channels.
The ED’s investigation revealed that the winning amounts of players and bettors were transferred to their respective bank accounts through merchant accounts of various shell companies maintained with payment gateways and aggregators. These transactions were also carried out through Domestic Money Transfer (DMT) services.
Bollywood Celebrities Under Scanner
In a startling revelation, the ED found that Magicwin had hosted a launch party in India attended by several Bollywood celebrities who endorsed the platform. These celebrities allegedly participated in video and photo shoots for Magicwin advertisements and promoted the app on their social media accounts.
The agency is now scrutinizing the involvement of these high-profile individuals in the betting operation. The probe has expanded significantly, with the ED summoning and questioning several prominent figures, including actors and influencers like Mimi Chakraborty, Urvashi Rautela, and others, to determine if they were paid using laundered “proceeds of crime.”
Illegal Broadcasting Of Cricket Matches
Apart from the betting activities, Magicwin is also accused of illegally broadcasting cricket matches, including the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024, for which Star India Private Limited held exclusive rights. This unauthorized streaming caused significant financial losses to those who held the legitimate broadcasting rights for these events.
The ED’s probe has uncovered that the website’s promotional activities involved top Bollywood celebrities, actors, and cricketers who promoted it by sharing videos and photos on their personal social media accounts. Reports suggest that these celebrities were paid substantial amounts for their involvement.
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Conclusion: The ₹1,000 Crore Magicwin Betting App Scam Remains Under ED’s Watch
The Magicwin betting app scam has revealed the murky world of online gambling and its deep links to money laundering, unauthorized content broadcasting, and celebrity-driven promotions. With over 50 shell companies and 100+ fake bank accounts under scrutiny, the case highlights how digital platforms can be misused for cross-border financial crimes.
As the Enforcement Directorate intensifies its probe, more names—both from the financial and entertainment sectors—may surface. This case underscores the urgent need for stronger regulation and oversight of online gaming and betting platforms, especially those backed by foreign entities. It also raises questions about the ethical responsibility of celebrities endorsing such platforms without due diligence.
The investigation is ongoing, and its findings are expected to have lasting implications for India’s digital economy, sports integrity, and influencer accountability.