What is Mahadev Book?
Mahadev Book is an online betting service that offers users sports betting, casino games, and the ability to bet on lottery games. Its most appealing feature is the single-ID system in which users receive a unique Mahadev Book ID, which allows them to place bets on a range of games and sports. This "one ID fits all" system is designed to make the user experience smoother and to allow users to place bets on cricket matches or football tournaments, or to play casino games, without having multiple betting accounts with different services.
The platform is specifically directed at Indian users, and allows them to complete deposits and withdrawals using local payment methods such as UPI, PhonePe, GooglePay, and Paytm. The company makes the additional marketing claim of over 60,000 live betting events, instant withdrawals, and customer support 24/7 via WhatsApp and Telegram. Additionally, the service includes VIP membership tiers, cashback promotions, welcome offers, and referral promotions designed to entice and retain its users.
The Cricket Betting App Experience
The application positions itself as the premier sports betting app for cricket fans in India. Cricket betting is at the helm of their products and covers everything from the IPL to international test series. Users can participate in live betting where odds shift while matches are in progress, which provides a heightened level of excitement to boot.
Reportedly, the cricket betting platform allows users to wager on match results, individual athletes and player performances, over-by-over predictions, or some combination of these and other cricket betting markets. The extensive wagering options for cricket and promotional opportunities for some of the biggest tournaments taking place has helped them attract a big fanbase from the cricket audience in India.
The Mahadev Sketch: A Criminal Investigation
Even though the promotional materials depict an inviting image, the Mahadev sketch alludes to something more than simply an endorsement image, as it pertains to the extensive criminal investigation of the Mahadev betting network carried out by authorities in India since 2023.
Both the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and Enforcement Directorate (ED), along with police in several States have been investigating what they call an illegal betting venture titled "Mahadev Online Book." Reports, from government agencies, suggest the investigation has uncovered a significant money laundering operation, purportedly worth a staggering ₹40,000 crore or more.
Those involved in this investigation prominently include impart the mention of Saurabh Chandrakar and Ravi Uppal, who are both located in Dubai and hail from Chhattisgarh. Chandrakar was arrested in Dubai in November 2022, in response to an Interpol Red Corner notice. The inquiry has now expanded rapidly with many arrests, raids across many States, and hundreds of crores worth of assets in possession and or attached.
Legal Concerns and Risks
The legal status of Mahadev Book is quite damaging. In its own FAQ section it notes that the ED is investigating, and domain names are being blocked. Several arrests have been made -- including celebrities and politicians -- who allegedly are tied to this betting syndicate.
CBI investigations showed that is ran an elaborate network of benami bank accounts and offshore accounts to facilitate illegal betting. Several domains have been blocked by government agencies, but clones of the domains seem to be made by variations of the same URL. This points to a cat-and-mouse type game with the authorities.
Any user of these platforms must ask themselves, do I feel safe using this platform, is this legal? India has a patchwork of online gambling legislation, with most forms of online gambling illegal or in a grey area of legality. Engaging with a betting platform that is being investigated by the government has certain risks, including possible legal repercussions, losing one’s funds, and issues of data security.
The Bottom Line
Mahadev Book and its cricket betting app may be enticing with their claims of making money easily, safe deposits, and exciting betting opportunities, however, it is all much more complicated. The ongoing criminal investigation into the Mahadev sketch commissioned by the Crown, details an alleged web of illegal betting activity and money laundering, on a large scale.
Identifying for a Mahadev Book ID or using an online betting platform, should incorporate careful consideration to legal implications, the legality of the platform, and an understanding of risks, both legal and financial. The concerns raised about Mahadev Book should act as a reminder to do your due diligence before participating in any form of online betting.
Always gamble responsibly within the legal framework and remember that platforms operating outside any regulatory authority provide no consumer protection or any recourse in the case of any problems.