The Enforcement Directorate has attached fresh assets worth Rs 442 crore belonging to online gaming company Gameskraft and its app RummyCulture, bringing the total frozen assets in the money laundering probe to Rs 2,843 crore. The agency alleges the company used bots to defraud users and generated proceeds of crime through platform commissions.
Online video games are emerging that recreate scenes from the Jantar Mantar protests in Delhi. Games like 'Jantar Mantar Chalo', 'Bhaag Neha Bhaag', and 'Jantar Mantar to Jail' allow players to experience elements of the demonstrations, from gathering crowds and dodging police to collecting 'Accountability' and 'Democracy' coins. Creators, inspired by news and real-life events, developed these games rapidly using AI and coding, gaining significant traction online.
Pune police have dismantled a large online gaming racket that defrauded individuals by luring them to invest in fake gaming apps. Two key individuals have been arrested, and a case registered against 12 people. The operation involved a call centre with 120 employees, and police seized substantial amounts of cash, gold, silver, computers, mobile phones, and a pistol during raids.
A Pre-University student in Koppal, Karnataka, allegedly stabbed his father and elder sister to death and critically injured his mother before attempting suicide. Police are investigating the role of excessive online gaming as a potential motive for the tragic incident.
Jaipur police arrested seven individuals and detained two minors for allegedly defrauding people through online gaming scams, luring victims with promises of cash prizes.
Investigations into the murder of an IRS officer's daughter in Delhi reveal the accused, Rahul Meena, had a history of aggressive behaviour and was addicted to online gaming, leading to significant debt. Police are conducting a psychological analysis to understand his mental state and motives, while his family claims he was a quiet person.
Gaming and cyber security experts suggest how kids and parents can stay aware to fight the growing threats and miscreants who act from behind the screen.
Head Digital Works, operator of 'A23 Rummy', has filed a petition in the Karnataka High Court against the recently passed Central Act banning money-based online games, marking the first legal challenge to the legislation. The court will hear the petition on August 30.
Jyothi Surekha Vennam, despite an unexpected early exit from the individual compound event at the Asian Games, led India to a women's team gold. She reflected on the overall successful archery campaign, which saw India top the medal standings with nine medals, including a historic individual recurve gold. Neeraj Chauhan also secured a bronze in men's individual recurve.
The boy's father returned home after lodging a complaint with the bank manager, and narrated the matter to his family, the police said.
Gurugram Police have arrested four individuals allegedly involved in an online betting fraud operation. The accused lured users with online gaming advertisements, processed payments through QR codes, and earned commissions on deposits.
The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has filed a chargesheet against real-money online gaming app WinZO and its promoters, alleging the company used bots and AI to manipulate game algorithms, leading to significant financial losses for users.
With the Asia Cup starting September 9 in the UAE, the team could play without a sponsor logo after the government passed the Online Gaming Bill.
Tickets for the upcoming T20 International match between India and West Indies at Indore's Holkar Stadium on October 11 will be sold exclusively online, with prices ranging from Rs 1,000 to Rs 12,500. The Madhya Pradesh Cricket Association has appointed 'District by Zomato' as the official ticketing agency, allowing a maximum of four tickets per person.
Indian MMA fighter Varun Sanyal faced a challenging Asian Games debut, marked by logistical issues and a medical disqualification due to a weight-cutting incident. Despite the setback, Sanyal, an Indian citizen with Singapore PR, shares his journey in MMA, his 'fighting nomad' lifestyle, and his aspirations for Indian fighters.
"Government has decided to notify an entity through Meity and that organisation then would be the fact checker for all aspects of content online and only those that are related to the government," Chandrasekhar said. Talking about rules for online gaming, the minister said that there will be multiple self-regulatory organisations (SRO) which will decide on permissibility of online games based on the framework.
A 19-year-old has been arrested in Indore for allegedly murdering a man over a financial dispute related to online gaming.
Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Monday said that GST collection from online gaming has increased 412 per cent in six months from October 1, 2023, when 28 per cent tax was levied on these services. Briefing media on the decisions taken at the 54th meeting of the GST Council, Sitharaman said the status on revenue collection from casinos, online gaming and horse races after six months of implementation of 28 per cent GST was presented to the Council. "The revenue from online gaming has increased by 412 per cent and reached Rs 6,909 crore in just for six months.
Mirabai Chanu completed her glittering medal collection by winning Asian Games silver, adding the missing continental medal to Olympic, World, Commonwealth and Asian Championship honours.
The panel of state finance ministers is likely to recommend a uniform GST levy of 28 per cent on online gaming irrespective of whether it is a game of skill or game of chance, sources said. However, it is likely to suggest a revised formula for calculating the amount on which the Goods and Services Tax (GST) would be levied. Currently, online gaming attracts 18 per cent GST.
Hockey India has announced free entry for fans to all matches of the men's Asian Champions Trophy, scheduled from October 27 to November 5 in Jalandhar and Mohali. This initiative aims to attract more spectators and promote the sport.
Gaming platforms will also be required to display a warning after a certain time of usage to reduce the risk of addiction.
Over 100 US lawmakers, led by Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi, have written to FBI Director Kash Patel demanding an investigation into an attempted mass shooting at a Hindu temple in Illinois as a federal hate crime. They also sought answers on measures to address online threats targeting Indian-Americans, criticising the Trump administration's past messaging for legitimising racial stereotypes.
Indian Grandmaster Arjun Erigaisi has voiced significant reservations regarding a proposal by World Chess and FIDE to convert online rapid and blitz ratings into official FIDE ratings. He highlights fundamental integrity issues, such as mouse slips and the lack of physical supervision in home-based online play, making it difficult to ensure fair play. Erigaisi also commented on World Champion D Gukesh's recent form and dismissed the idea that AI diminishes creativity in chess.
The industry came under scrutiny after the proliferation of games like cards, casinos, and fantasy sports among young people led to addiction and financial losses, with some reported cases of suicide.
The Indian government has blocked 300 websites and applications involved in illegal gambling and betting activities, including online sports betting platforms, online casinos, and satta/matka networks, as part of its efforts to create a safe and responsible online gaming ecosystem.
Two children, aged 11 and 7, left their home in Hastinapur, Meerut, after watching a 'Secret House' game video on YouTube.
The Indian contingent for the upcoming Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya will undergo orientation sessions focusing on empathy and mutual respect. For the first time, a Safeguarding Officer will accompany the 768-strong team to provide support, counsel distressed athletes, and enforce a code of conduct, ensuring a safe and conducive environment for performance. The officer's role, mandated by the Olympic Council of Asia, includes confidential reporting and potential accreditation suspension for serious violations.
Asian Games silver medallist long jumper Ancy Sojan has responded to social media criticism regarding her appearance and attire, asserting that such comments cannot diminish her achievement or the value of her medal.
Raipur is set to host all three matches of the India-Zimbabwe women's T20I series from October 16 to 20 at the Shaheed Veer Narayan Singh International Cricket Stadium, with ticket sales opening on October 12.
'There is nothing for the bowlers and it's killing the game.'
Test Twenty, cricket's new format, debuts in Colombo on November 14, with 160 young cricketers and boys' and girls' scores combining to decide one winner.
Barcelona forward Lamine Yamal revealed he has experienced racism thousands of times, highlighting both overt abuse and unconscious bias while maintaining that such disrespect will not disrupt his focus during matches.
'There are cases of suicides, and middle-class families losing their entire family savings.'
Online skill-based gaming industry has made a case for retaining the service under 18 per cent GST slab instead of putting it into the highest 28 per cent tax rate category, saying the move will badly hit the $2.2-billion sector. The increase in taxation would not only have catastrophic impact on the industry but also encourage offshore operators who would circumvent Indian tax jurisdiction by hosting games in some other country, Games24x7 Co-CEO Trivikraman Thampy said. "It would be a triple whammy -- the industry loses out, the government loses out on tax revenue and players loses out as they would be exposed to unscrupulous operators," he said.
A man in Meerut, India, allegedly staged the kidnapping of his 15-year-old son and demanded a ransom to pay off debts accumulated through online gaming. He has been arrested and the boy is safe.
Gurugram Police have arrested six individuals allegedly involved in a cybercrime racket that defrauded people through online gaming and betting platforms. The arrests followed a raid in Delhi's Janakpuri area, where authorities seized mobile phones, laptops, ATM cards, and other incriminating materials.
'Look at what kind of sites the child is visiting, what kind of games they are playing and then tell them about the pitfalls.' 'After the child sleeps, parents can check the history of sites visited and block sites that could be dangerous or inappropriate.'
GST authorities have issued show cause notices worth Rs 1 lakh crore to online gaming companies for tax evasion so far, a senior official said on Wednesday. The official, however, said there is no data yet of foreign gaming companies registering in India since October 1. The government has amended the GST law, making it mandatory for overseas online gaming companies to register in India from October 1.
The Social Reckoning may lack the crackling energy of The Social Network, but Aaron Sorkin delivers a timely warning about what happens when a world-changing platform escapes the control of its creator.
