The Enforcement Directorate (ED) conducted raids across multiple locations in Goa, Delhi-NCR, Mumbai, and Rajkot under the Foreign Exchange Management Act (FEMA). The searches, carried out on September 28th and 29th, targeted 15 premises linked to Golden Globe Hotels Private Limited, Worldwide Resorts and Entertainment Private Limited, and the renowned Big Daddy Casino in Goa.
During the searches, the ED seized approximately 2.25 crore rupees in Indian currency, 14,000 US dollars, and foreign currency equivalent to 8.50 lakh rupees. Furthermore, cryptocurrencies (including USDT) worth over 90 lakh rupees were frozen. The ED also confiscated several incriminating documents and digital evidence during the raids.
**Poker Chips Exchanged for Foreign Currency at the Casino**
The investigation revealed that poker chips were provided to customers in exchange for foreign currency at the casino. Winnings were also returned in foreign currency as per their preference. Employees associated with Golden Globe Hotels were actively promoting online gambling platforms such as rolex777.co, iCasino247.com, play247s.com, Win Daddy, and Poker Daddy.
**Crypto and Hawala Network Exposed**
The ED’s investigation uncovered that poker players’ crypto wallets were being utilized for financial transactions. USDT (USDT) was being sent to Dubai and other countries through Hawala channels. This network used mule accounts (bank accounts opened in the names of others) to deposit winnings and send funds abroad.
**Enforcement Directorate’s Claims**
The ED stated that the documents and digital evidence gathered during the searches clearly expose FEMA violations and a network associated with cross-border Hawala-crypto transactions. The ED indicated that the investigation is ongoing and further revelations are anticipated.
