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Mahadev Book Legal in India — Compliance FAQ

This is the Legal and Compliance FAQ of Mahadev Book. We know users desire insights on legality, regulation and risks. This is what you should be aware of so far:

1. Is Mahadev Book legal in India?
  • At present, there is no standardized law of the federal government that directly legalizes online gambling or betting in all states of India. 
  • The main one, the Public Gambling Act of 1867, makes it illegal to run a public gambling house, however, it does not explicitly deal with the issue of online betting or betting on the internet. 
  • States have their own gambling laws or gaming laws that could prohibit or limit certain forms of betting as well as online betting. 
  • Recently, Mahadev (and similar applications) have been questioned: the Indian government prohibited a range of betting applications, such as “Mahadev Books” and ordered the blocking of the related domains and procedures. 
  • The Enforcement Directorate (ED) is probing Mahadev Online Book due to alleged money laundering and illegal business.
  • In 2025, Parliament passed the Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Act, which established new licensing and regulatory regulations and penalties of online gaming and betting platforms. 
  • The criminal liability, fines and imprisonment can be provided, offering, advertising or funding online gambling, under the new Act. 
  • Since the law was introduced recently and its implementation tools are being created, a large number of platforms and users will be in a legal transitional area.
  • There are some states with direct prohibition on any Internet betting or gambling (e.g. Telangana, Andhra Pradesh). 
  • Such states as Sikkim and Nagaland have the schemes of control over online games and betting (licensed and regulated). 
  • Although a platform may state that it is legal, users have to verify whether that particular activity is legal in their home state.
  • Some jurisdictions have domain takedowns, payment blocking, and lawsuits against the use of apps or sites that have been banned.
  • The banks or payment gateways may block your deposits or withdrawal as a result of regulatory action.
  • The platforms that are under investigation (such as Mahadev) can be subject to enforcement measures, freezing of assets, or even disruption of the provision of services. 
  • It is uncertain in law terms – the legality of the activity can be asserted, but the platforms can be dangerous when they are not licensed properly or their activities are not permitted in the future.
  • Certain promotional or usability materials might claim to operate or be in compliance with allowable conditions.
  • But, according to current public records, no broadly accepted or proven license to the betting activities of Mahadev Book currently exists in the country of India.
  • With current inquiries and prohibitions, arguments of complete legality are disputed.
  • Look at state laws: one location might not permit something that other locations permit.
  • Follow the legal changes: the amended 2025 Act could be much more enforced.
  • Be cautious: consider any platform that works in this space as being high risk.
  • Record your activity: save documentation of the transactions, emails, screenshots, in particular, when there are disagreements.
  • When possible, find alternative, regulated solutions that are trusted.