On September 28, 2025, and September 29, 2025, the Enforcement Directorate (ED), Panaji Regional Office, conducted searches at 15 premises belonging to M/s Golden Globe Hotels Private Limited, M/s Worldwide Resorts & Entertainment Private Limited, and Big Daddy Casino, Goa, in Goa, Delhi-NCR, Mumbai, and Rajkot under the provisions of the Foreign Exchange Management Act (FEMA), 1999. During the searches, the ED recovered approximately ₹2.25 crore in Indian currency, US$14,000, and other foreign currency equivalent to approximately ₹8.50 lakh.
The ED investigation revealed that customers were being given poker chips in exchange for foreign currency. Winnings were distributed to winning customers in foreign currency, based on their needs. Additionally, it was found that several online casino platforms, such as rolex777.co, iCasino247.com, play247s.com, Win Daddy, Poker Daddy, etc., were being actively promoted by casino employees under M/s Golden Globe Hotels Pvt. Ltd.
It also emerged that poker players’ cryptocurrency wallets were being used for financial transactions. The use of Angadia services through crypto wallets was detected to facilitate USDT transfers to various locations in Dubai and around the world. Furthermore, several mule accounts were identified for depositing and withdrawing gambling winnings, which were subsequently transferred to various individuals abroad.
Furthermore, various cryptocurrencies, including USDT, worth over ₹90 lakh were recovered during the operation. The ED has frozen them. Incriminating documents and digital evidence have been seized, which establish links to violations of FEMA provisions as well as cross-border hawala/crypto transactions. Further investigation is underway in the case.
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