The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has filed a comprehensive prosecution complaint against Magicwin, an online betting platform, naming 14 individuals and entities involved in an alleged money laundering ring.
The chargesheet was submitted on January 15 to a special Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) court in Ahmedabad, following an investigation into the site’s illegal operations.
Unauthorized Streaming Sparked Probe
The case originated from an FIR filed by the Ahmedabad cyber crime police after Magicwin was caught illegally broadcasting matches from the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024. The broadcasting rights were exclusively held by Star India Private Limited, but Magicwin offered unauthorized free streams to lure users into placing bets on cricket, tennis, and football.
The UAE-Pakistan Connection
The ED’s investigation revealed that Magicwin is owned by Magicwin Sports Limited, a UK-registered entity. The operation is allegedly helmed by two Pakistani nationals, Gulab Harji Mal and Omesh Kumar Gurnani, who are based in the UAE. The agency accuses the directors of using the platform as a betting exchange, routing funds through a complex network of mule accounts, hawala channels, and cryptocurrencies to evade detection.
Crackdown on “Social Menace”
This legal action follows the Indian government’s nationwide ban on real-money online gaming and betting in October 2025. Officials have described these platforms as a “financial and social menace” that targets youth and drains household savings.
The Enforcement Directorate also noted that the platform aggressively marketed its services using social media influencers and celebrities to build trust and credibility among Indian users.
“The portal and its mobile application functioned as a betting exchange offering sports betting and leisure gambling, with transactions routed through mule accounts,” the ED stated in its filing.
With the chargesheet now filed, the PMLA court will begin reviewing the evidence against the 14 accused as authorities seek to dismantle the platform’s financial infrastructure.
