Centre orders blocking of Mahadev betting app and other 22 illegal betting apps

The Centre on Sunday imposed blocking orders against 22 illegal betting apps and websites, including platforms- Mahadev Book Online and Reddyannaprestopro. The IT Ministry issued the restrictions amid an ongoing probe into an illegal betting app syndicate led by the Enforcement Directorate into the Mahadev betting app case.

The order was issued under Section 69A of the Information Technology Act after ED's recommendations.

In a statement, minister of state for IT Rajeev Chandrasekhar claimed inaction on the



part of the Bhupesh Baghel-led administration into the illegal activities via the betting app.

The minister said, "Chhattisgarh Government had the authority to recommend the shutdown of the website/app under Sec 69A IT 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. In fact, the first and only request has been received from ED and it has been acted upon. Nothing was preventing the Chhattisgarh Government from making similar requests earlier."