Illegal Online Matka, Betting Apps, Websites, Ruining Goan Youth: Activist Shreha Dhargalkar Demands Strict Action

PANAJI: In a dramatic expose, Goan social worker Shreha Dhargalkar today alleged that the traditional matka gambling networks, much prevalent since decades in Goa, has now gone online and matka operators in Goa are using apps, websites and other such new-age means to con and cheat Goans as well as tourists of their hard-earned money.

Speaking exclusively to IndyaTv.in on phone from the State capital, Shreha claimed some local gambling outfits and operators, including some politicians (involved in the matka business), have tied up with online betting apps, some of them clones of the infamous Mahadev Book app, Khiladi app, etc., which are under a nationwide investigation by the Enforcement Directorate, DRI and the Income Tax authorities.

“They (matka gambling operators) have taken up local franchises for the online betting platforms and have also created apps and websites so now you don’t have to go to the roadside matka operator to pick or select numbers. You can just download the matka gambling app and gamble online,” Shreha revealed, adding that matka gambling has gone online in Goa.

She also said that several Goan politicians are in the know of these online gambling and betting networks, but nobody has come forward to highlight the issue. The kingpins or owners of these gambling apps and platforms are based abroad, particularly in Dubai and now Goan matka operators have gone hi-tech, associating with international betting syndicates, also involved big time in cricket match fixing.

She called for strict and immediate action by law enforcement agencies, adding that profits of drug trafficking are also mixed up with such international gambling syndicates.

Speaking to IndyaTv.in, she naned several celebrities who were involved in the promotion of such illegal betting apps, driving online traffic and eyeballs to their platforms.

What is the Mahadev Book or Mahadev App scam?

This gambling app allowed users to bet in real-time on a number of games, including cricket, football, games of skill, tennis, etc., eventually making them addicted to online gambling.

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) conducted search operations against the money laundering networks linked with the alleged Mahadev Book Online Betting app, which led to the recovery of huge amounts of unaccounted cash and black money. The online betting platform Mahadev Book, operational in India since 2017, was allegedly involved in money laundering, with the Enforcement Directorate accusing the platform of orchestrating match-fixing through its Mahadev and Khiladi apps and hundreds of other clone apps.

The company has reportedly amassed illicit funds worth over Rs 450 crore ($57 million) with estimates indicating a staggering Rs 5000 crore diverted by the entity in ‘hawala transactions’ to tax free locales abroad. The app, now blocked by the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (Meity), was allegedly overseen by individuals based in Dubai — Sourabh Chandrakar and Ravi Uppal who are allegedly the main conspirators in the money laundering game.