Game over: Headquarters of online gambling racket at Mumbai’s Opera House raided

The racket operated across seven states and 15 countries; four have been arrested.

The crime branch last week raided the Opera House headquarters of Game King India – an online gambling racket run across seven states and 15 countries – and arrested four accused.

Mastermind at large; his brother, who handled the finances, arrested. (\HT Media/Representational Image)

HT had reported about the illegal gaming/gambling centres on March 25.

According to the crime branch, the software has been designed in a way that ensures customers lose, so the company makes money.

The company is running illegally (without the required permissions), causing a loss of revenue (tax) to the state.

The four arrested accused are Aadesh Chaurasiya, brother of absconding mastermind Achal Chaurasiya, Shubham alias Golu Chaurasiya, 30, Shivbabu Chaurasiya, 39, and Rakesh Chaurasiya, 57.

The team, led by inspector Jagdish Sail, also seized computers systems, data, eight mobiles and other equipment. “The arrested four are key members of the group,” said Sanjay Saxena, joint commissioner of police (crime).

“The four were booked in the same case in which eight people were arrested in April,” Sail said.

Explaining their way of functioning, inspector Sanjay Nikumbhe said Shubham and Shivbabu used to operate the system from Opera House headquarters, and coordinate with managers in different areas, cities and districts. They used to give out access or points to area managers, who then distributed it to various franchises. “Operators at the franchises allowed customers to access the software to gamble after paying cash. Customers could play 16 different games on the system. They could make or lose money in the game,” said Nikumbhe.

Rakesh used to collect the money earned by the franchise and send it to Achal. Aadesh handled the finances of the entire group. The franchise got their commission.

The crackdown against lotteries began in March, after an announcement by the minister of state home (city) Dr Ranjit Patil in the legislative council.

Earlier, the cyber police arrested the director of the company, Rajendra Sahu, a Delhi resident, who acted as the front man for Achal.