The Enforcement Directorate has provisionally attached movable and immovable properties worth around Rs 442.4 crore in its investigation into Rummy Culture and associated entities, taking the total value of assets attached, frozen or seized in the case to about Rs 2,843 crore, according to the agency’s latest action reported by the Times of India.
The attachment was issued on September 25 under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act. It covers fixed deposits, commercial shops, a villa and residential properties held in the names of family members, private family trusts and associated entities of shareholders of Gameskraft Technologies Pvt Ltd.
The ED began the investigation after multiple first information reports were registered in Telangana in connection with allegations of cheating. The agency had earlier searched the offices of Gameskraft Technologies and the residences of its directors and key employees between May 7 and 14, followed by another round of searches between June 20 and 21.
Gameskraft Technologies and Rummy Time Technologies Pvt Ltd operated online real-money gaming platforms, including Rummy Culture, Rummy Prime, Playship and Rummy Time. According to the ED, the platforms had around three crore users across India, with a significant user base in Telangana, Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu, where online real-money gaming has been banned.
The agency alleged that the companies earned substantial revenue by charging commissions of between 10% and 15% on users’ staking or wagering amounts. It further alleged that the platforms assured users they were transparent and did not use automated players or bots, while allegedly deploying bots without users’ knowledge or consent. The ED said this resulted in financial losses to users and generated proceeds of crime.
The agency also alleged that the platforms used deceptive and addictive strategies to acquire and retain users. Around Rs 1,035 crore was reportedly spent on marketing and promotional campaigns, including bonuses, referral incentives, free tournament entries and rewards intended to encourage continued gameplay and additional deposits.
According to the ED, some users also faced restrictive withdrawal mechanisms, including a levy of 5% to 10% in certain cases. The agency alleged that users were encouraged to convert withdrawable balances into non-withdrawable ‘Game Cash’ through ‘Super Booster’ offers. Dormant users were allegedly contacted through cash credits, promotional offers, push notifications, SMS campaigns and telemarketing calls to induce them to resume playing.
The case also involves the alleged movement of proceeds through investments and shareholder transactions. The ED said the money was allegedly layered and integrated through dividend payments and share buy-backs, and concealed through investments in mutual funds, bonds, convertible notes, equity shares, movable assets and high-value properties. Some assets were allegedly held through family trusts and associated entities.
Earlier searches had resulted in movable assets worth around Rs 495 crore being frozen. The agency said it had also seized Rs 11 lakh in cash, gold and diamond jewellery, and approximately 2.30 kg of bullion. A previous provisional attachment order covered properties valued at around Rs 1,906 crore.
With the latest attachment, the ED said the combined value of assets attached, frozen and seized in the investigation has reached approximately Rs 2,843 crore. The allegations remain subject to proceedings under the applicable law.
