ED Attaches Another ₹442 Cr Assets In Gameskraft’s RummyCulture Probe

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has attached additional assets worth around ₹442.35 crore in connection with the money laundering probe involving Gameskraft Technologies, the operator of the RummyCulture app. The attachment, issued on September 25 under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), includes fixed deposits, commercial properties, a villa, and residential properties owned by shareholders, family trusts, and associated entities.

This brings the total value of attached assets in the investigation to approximately ₹2,843 crore. The ED alleges that gaming profits were diverted to shareholders through dividends and share buybacks, which were then invested in financial assets and property to hide their origins. The latest attachment follows a previous one for properties valued at around ₹1,906 crore.

The agency also cites previously frozen movable assets worth around ₹495 crore, as well as the seizure of ₹11 lakh in cash and approximately 2.30 kg of gold and diamond jewellery. The ED's investigation stems from multiple FIRs registered in Telangana alleging cheating. Gameskraft Technologies and RummyTime Technologies operated online rummy games and tournaments through platforms such as RummyCulture, RummyPrime, Playship, and RummyTime.

These platforms had around 3 crore users across India and charged commissions of 10%-15% on users' stakes. The ED alleges that the platforms used bots against users without their knowledge, despite claims of fair play. They also spent around ₹1,035 crore on marketing and promotions to encourage continued play and higher deposits.

Withdrawals were reportedly restricted, with fees of 5%-10% in some cases. Users were encouraged to convert withdrawable balances into non-withdrawable "Game Cash" through "Super Booster" offers, and those who had stopped playing were targeted with cash credits, promotional offers, and telemarketing calls. The ED searched Gameskraft's offices and the homes of its directors and key employees in May and June, seizing documents, digital devices, and electronic records.

Three Gameskraft cofounders were arrested in May but were later released by the Karnataka High Court in June after challenging the ED's action. The continuing investigation adds to Gameskraft's challenges following the nationwide ban on real-money gaming last year, which effectively shut down its RummyCulture and RummyTime platforms, leading to the loss of over 400 jobs.