Betting companies infiltrated Pakistan through the cricket board of the country under the tenure of former prime minister Imran Khan, according to a report in The News.&nbsp;

The revelation comes a week after the Pakistan government started a crackdown on 150 illegal betting surrogate brands that have presumably caused billions in losses to the country's economy.&nbsp;

The report states that in 2021 when Imran Khan's Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaaf (PTI) was in power and Ehsaan Mani was the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) president, a no-objection certificate (NOC) was issued to Dafa News - a prominent betting website. Subsequently, the company's ads started to appear in Pakistan cricket.&nbsp;

According to Pakistan's Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, Dafa News is originally a betting company, recognised as ‘Dafabet’, 1XBET as 1XBat, WOLF111 as woLF111 and MELBET as MELBAT.

Since then, over 150 companies have started operations in the subcontinent nation. While these companies have become an intrinsic part of Pakistan's international cricket branding, four teams in the Pakistan Super League (the country's marquee T20 franchise tournament) have also onboarded the surrogate betting companies as their key sponsors.

The Pakistani government is of the view that the betting companies are inducing corruption in the sporting sector of the country and putting the economy into further turmoil by getting people addicted to gambling.&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/world-cup-2023-rift-brewing-in-pakistan-dressing-room-pcb-releases-a-statement-650274">Also read |&nbsp;World Cup 2023: Rift brewing in Pakistan dressing room? PCB releases a statement</a>

<h2>Pak govt's advice falls on deaf ears&nbsp;</h2>

PCB has been advised by the government to immediately terminate its contract with Dafa News and others. However, the board is yet to take any call saying no order has come from the government.&nbsp;

“They have advised us. There was no command or order," a PCB spokesperson was quoted as saying by the publication.&nbsp;

“Time will decide about the fate of our agreements with such companies as nothing has been proved so far. For now, the PCB is trying its best to keep itself distant from any betting company," the spokesperson added.&nbsp;

Notably, gambling is strictly prohibited in Islam and banned across the country. However, using surrogate means and promoting themselves as fantasy platforms, these companies are working around the law.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)

Betting companies infiltrated Pakistan through the cricket board of the country under the tenure of former prime minister Imran Khan, according to a report in The News.

Betting companies infiltrated Pakistan through the cricket board of the country under the tenure of former prime minister Imran Khan, according to a report in The News. The revelation comes a week after the Pakistan government started a crackdown on 150 illegal betting surrogate brands that have presumably caused billions in losses to the country's economy. The report states that in 2021 when Imran Khan's Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaaf (PTI) was in power and Ehsaan Mani was the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) president, a no-objection certificate (NOC) was issued to Dafa News - a prominent betting website. Subsequently, the company's ads started to appear in Pakistan cricket. According to Pakistan's Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, Dafa News is originally a betting company, recognised as ‘Dafabet’, 1XBET as 1XBat, WOLF111 as woLF111 and MELBET as MELBAT. Since then, over 150 companies have started operations in the subcontinent nation. While these companies have become an intrinsic part of Pakistan's international cricket branding, four teams in the Pakistan Super League (the country's marquee T20 franchise tournament) have also onboarded the surrogate betting companies as their key sponsors. The Pakistani government is of the view that the betting companies are inducing corruption in the sporting sector of the country and putting the economy into further turmoil by getting people addicted to gambling. Also read | World Cup 2023: Rift brewing in Pakistan dressing room? PCB releases a statement Pak govt's advice falls on deaf ears PCB has been advised by the government to immediately terminate its contract with Dafa News and others. However, the board is yet to take any call saying no order has come from the government. “They have advised us. There was no command or order," a PCB spokesperson was quoted as saying by the publication. “Time will decide about the fate of our agreements with such companies as nothing has been proved so far. For now, the PCB is trying its best to keep itself distant from any betting company," the spokesperson added. Notably, gambling is strictly prohibited in Islam and banned across the country. However, using surrogate means and promoting themselves as fantasy platforms, these companies are working around the law. (With inputs from agencies)

Betting companies entered and flourished in Pakistan during former prime minister Imran Khan's tenure: Report

The Indian government has blocked 22 "illegal" betting apps and websites, including Mahadev Book, upon a request by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) amid an investigation of an alleged money laundering case

Indian govt blocks 22 betting apps

In a major crackdown on illegal betting syndicates, India on Sunday (Nov 5) issued blocking orders for 22 apps and websites.&nbsp;

One of the banned apps is Mahadev Online betting platform, which has also been at the centre of a political controversy in the central Indian state of Chhattisgarh, where elections are due next month and which is ruled by the opposition Congress party.

Chief Minister of the state Bhupesh Baghel was earlier accused of receiving Rs 508 crore&nbsp; Indian rupees from the promoters of the Mahadev Online app.

<h2>ED’s investigation against betting syndicate</h2>

The action by the Government of India comes hot on the heels of an ongoing investigation by India’s prime economic intelligence agency, the Enforcement Directorate (ED), against the illegal betting app syndicate.

So far, the ED has arrested four persons and seized assets worth over Rs 450 crore in proceeds of crime.

Watch:&nbsp;India: New Delhi air quality 'severe', East Delhi air quality breaches 999 mark

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The agency has also filed a prosecution complaint against 14 accused persons.

<h2>State vs centre&nbsp;</h2>

CM Bhupesh Baghel said that the central government had “finally woken up from its sleep,” while reacting to the development.

“I have been asking this for months as to why this app was not being banned. I had even said that maybe the greed of getting 28% GST has made the government not ban the app or the BJP and app operators have made a deal,” he said.&nbsp;

“I feel amazed that for months the ED had been probing this app but still it was operational. Now that app is banned, its operators in Dubai should be arrested soon. Chhattisgarh Police was the first to issue a look out circular against them (app promoters),” said the CM.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/business-economy/india-extends-free-food-grains-program-to-tackle-rising-cereal-prices-report-655659">Also read:&nbsp;India extends free food grain programme to tackle rising cereal prices: Report</a>

He also implied that Chhattisgarh Police wanted to question them because the first FIR against them was registered in his state only.

However, a union minister later fired back at the CM for not doing enough to shut down the app using powers given to states under the Information Technology Act.

Minister of State for Information Technology Rajeev Chandrasekhar in a statement said, “The Chhattisgarh government had all the power to recommend shutting down the (Mahadev) website and app under Section 69A of the Information Technology Act. However, they did not do so and no such request was made by the state government while they have been investigating it for the last 1.5 years.”

(With inputs from agencies)

In a major crackdown on illegal betting syndicates, India on Sunday (Nov 5) issued blocking orders for 22 apps and websites. One of the banned apps is Mahadev Online betting platform, which has also been at the centre of a political controversy in the central Indian state of Chhattisgarh, where elections are due next month and which is ruled by the opposition Congress party.

In a major crackdown on illegal betting syndicates, India on Sunday (Nov 5) issued blocking orders for 22 apps and websites. One of the banned apps is Mahadev Online betting platform, which has also been at the centre of a political controversy in the central Indian state of Chhattisgarh, where elections are due next month and which is ruled by the opposition Congress party. Chief Minister of the state Bhupesh Baghel was earlier accused of receiving Rs 508 crore Indian rupees from the promoters of the Mahadev Online app. ED’s investigation against betting syndicate The action by the Government of India comes hot on the heels of an ongoing investigation by India’s prime economic intelligence agency, the Enforcement Directorate (ED), against the illegal betting app syndicate. So far, the ED has arrested four persons and seized assets worth over Rs 450 crore in proceeds of crime. Watch: India: New Delhi air quality 'severe', East Delhi air quality breaches 999 mark × The agency has also filed a prosecution complaint against 14 accused persons. State vs centre CM Bhupesh Baghel said that the central government had “finally woken up from its sleep,” while reacting to the development. “I have been asking this for months as to why this app was not being banned. I had even said that maybe the greed of getting 28% GST has made the government not ban the app or the BJP and app operators have made a deal,” he said. “I feel amazed that for months the ED had been probing this app but still it was operational. Now that app is banned, its operators in Dubai should be arrested soon. Chhattisgarh Police was the first to issue a look out circular against them (app promoters),” said the CM. Also read: India extends free food grain programme to tackle rising cereal prices: Report He also implied that Chhattisgarh Police wanted to question them because the first FIR against them was registered in his state only. However, a union minister later fired back at the CM for not doing enough to shut down the app using powers given to states under the Information Technology Act. Minister of State for Information Technology Rajeev Chandrasekhar in a statement said, “The Chhattisgarh government had all the power to recommend shutting down the (Mahadev) website and app under Section 69A of the Information Technology Act. However, they did not do so and no such request was made by the state government while they have been investigating it for the last 1.5 years.” (With inputs from agencies)

India blocks 22 illegal betting apps and websites amidst political chaos in poll-bound state

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