Mumbai — The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has attached assets worth ₹307.16 crore under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), 2002, in its probe against the illegal online betting and unauthorized broadcasting platform Fairplay. The assets, comprising both movable and immovable properties, include luxury villas, flats, land in Dubai, and significant bank balances.
With this latest attachment, the cumulative value of assets seized and attached in the case has reached ₹651.31 crore.
Complaint Origin and FIRs
The investigation stems from a First Information Report (FIR) lodged by Viacom18 Media Pvt. Ltd. with the Nodal Cyber Police Station in Mumbai. Viacom18 alleged that Fairplay and associated entities engaged in illegal broadcasting of copyrighted content and unauthorized betting operations, causing losses exceeding ₹100 crore.
FutureCrime Summit 2026: Registrations to Open Soon for India’s Biggest Cybercrime Conference
Over time, several FIRs across India against Fairplay and its associates for online betting were consolidated into a single wide-ranging investigation by the ED.
Scale of Money Laundering
According to ED officials, Fairplay’s operations generated proceeds of crime running into several hundred crores. The agency suspects the use of trade-based money laundering mechanisms to route funds abroad.
Investigators claim that illicit revenues from betting were systematically funneled into offshore accounts, converted into assets, and parked under the names of family members and proxy entities.
Key Individuals Identified
The probe has identified Krish Laxmichand Shah as the alleged mastermind of the Fairplay network. Shah reportedly controls the platform from Dubai with the assistance of Anil Kumar Dadlani and other close associates.
To facilitate operations, Shah allegedly incorporated multiple companies across international jurisdictions, including:
- Play Ventures N.V. and Dutch Antilles Management N.V. (Curaçao)
- Fair Play Sport LLC and Fairplay Management DMCC (Dubai)
- Play Ventures Holding Limited (Malta)
Authorities allege Shah, along with family members and associates, acquired prime properties and business interests in Dubai, either directly or through linked companies.
Timeline of Enforcement Action
The case has seen multiple enforcement actions by the ED:
- June 12, August 27, September 27, and October 25, 2024 — Search operations led to seizure of documents, digital evidence, and movable assets.
- November 22 & December 26, 2024; January 15, 2025 — ED issued earlier Provisional Attachment Orders.
- February 12, 2025 — Key operatives Chintan Shah and Chirag Shah were arrested.
- April 1, 2025 — A Prosecution Complaint was filed before the Special PMLA Court in Mumbai.
- April 25, 2025 — The court took cognisance of the case.
The current attachment of ₹307.16 crore is the fourth major step in a continuing investigation.
Growing Crackdown on Online Betting
Officials underscored that illegal online betting platforms not only violate Indian gambling laws but also serve as channels for hawala transactions and offshore money laundering.
The Fairplay case is one of the largest such probes in recent years, highlighting the risks posed by cross-border betting syndicates operating from tax havens and financial hubs like Dubai.
The ED has confirmed that its investigation is ongoing, with further seizures and arrests likely as authorities track additional money trails.
