Is Lotus365 Legal in India? –
Full Guide 2026

Quick Legal Status — Direct Answer

Government Ban on Lotus365 — Official Order

In December 2023, the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) issued a blocking order against 22 illegal betting apps and websites upon request by the Enforcement Directorate (ED). These apps were involved in money laundering through hawala, crypto, and other illegal routes[citation:11].

The list of banned apps included Mahadev, Parimatch, Fairplay, 1XBET, Lotus365, Dafabet, and Betwaysatta. In total, the government banned 581 apps including 174 betting and gambling apps and 87 loan lending apps[citation:11].

• Date of Ban: December 2023
• Total Banned Apps: 581 (including 174 betting apps)
• Banned Apps: Mahadev, Parimatch, Fairplay, 1XBET, Lotus365, Dafabet
• Reason: Money laundering through hawala, crypto, and illegal routes
• Authority: MeitY order on ED request

ED Investigation — Arrests, Raids & Seizures

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has been actively investigating Lotus365 under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA). Here are the key developments:

🔴 Arrest of Operators (March 2024)

ED arrested Girish Talreja (02.03.2024) and Suraj Chokhani (03.03.2024) for their role in money laundering activities associated with Mahadev Online Book case[citation:4].

• Arrested: Girish Talreja (02.03.2024) & Suraj Chokhani (03.03.2024)[citation:4]
• Law: Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), 2002[citation:4]
• Court: PMLA Special Court, Raipur[citation:4]
• Custody: 7 days ED custody till 11.03.2024[citation:4]

💰 Rs 50 Crore Monthly Cash Handling

ED investigations revealed that around Rs 50 Crore betting cash was being handled by Lotus365’s Pune branch per month. Talreja was found to be a member of the “cash handling WhatsApp group” of this branch[citation:4]

🏠 Nationwide Raids (March 2024)

ED conducted searches under Section 17 of PMLA at multiple locations across Kolkata, Haryana, Delhi, MP, Maharashtra, and Goa, which included the branches of Lotus365 being operated from Pune, Maharashtra[citation:4].

• Locations: Kolkata, Haryana, Delhi, MP, Maharashtra, Goa[citation:4]
• Focus: Lotus365 branches in Pune[citation:4]
• Seizure: Rs 1 Crore in cash seized[citation:4]

Lotus365 & Mahadev Online Book — The Connection

ED investigations have confirmed Lotus365 is a sister concern of Mahadev Online Book (MOB) — an umbrella syndicate arranging online platforms for enabling illegal betting websites to enroll new users, create User IDs and launder money through benami bank accounts[citation:4][citation:12].

Celebrity Endorsements — ED Summons & Legal Trouble

The ED has summoned multiple celebrities, cricketers, and influencers for endorsing Lotus365 and other illegal betting apps. These endorsements have led to legal trouble under PMLA[citation:3][citation:5][citation:6].

ED sources said these apps violate the IT Act, Benami Transactions Act, FEMA, PMLA, and advisories issued by MEITY by using surrogate ads[citation:9]. Many celebrities claim they “did not know the exact functioning of the apps” and “did not associate themselves with these platforms for any illegal activity like betting”[citation:6].

New Online Gaming Act 2025 — Effective May 1, 2026

India’s online gaming law, the Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Act, 2025 (“Act”), implemented through the Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Rules, 2026, is set to come into effect on May 1, 2026[citation:14].

🔴 Key Provisions

• All Online Money Games Banned: Where money, money’s worth, or other stakes are placed with an expectation of winning – these formats are completely banned with criminal penalties[citation:14]
• Operating, playing, advertising, or enabling funding in these games leads to criminal liability[citation:14]
• E-Sports and Online Social Games (no wagering) are permitted subject to registration[citation:14]

State-Wise Legal Position — Quick Reference

Under the new Act effective May 2026, state laws no longer matter for online betting platforms. However, here is the current state-wise position:

Risks of Using Lotus365 — What Users Should Know

Using Lotus365 in India involves multiple serious risks:

⚖️ Legal Risks

• Violation of PMLA: Using a platform that is under ED investigation for money laundering can lead to legal scrutiny[citation:4]
• IT Act Violation: Accessing blocked/banned apps is a violation of the Information Technology Act[citation:9]
• FEMA Violation: Transferring money outside India through unauthorized channels violates FEMA regulations[citation:9]
• Criminal Liability: Under the new Act (May 2026), users can face criminal penalties for playing online money games[citation:14]

💰 Financial Risks

• No Consumer Protection: No RBI or government-backed dispute resolution mechanism[citation:8]
• Money Loss: If platform shuts down or scammed, no legal recourse
• Account Freezing: Banks may freeze accounts involved in transactions with illegal betting platforms

🔐 Security Risks

• Phishing Scams: Fake Lotus365 websites and agents stealing personal information[citation:8]
• Fake Customer Care: Multiple fake numbers online – no consumer protection if scammed[citation:8]
• Data Security: No guarantee of data protection or encryption standards[citation:8]

Safe Alternatives — Legal Betting Options in India

If you’re looking for safe, legal betting options in India, consider these:

• Legally Permitted Offline Casinos: Goa, Sikkim, and Daman have licensed physical casinos (check local laws)
• State Lotteries: Many states have legal lotteries operated by government
• Horse Racing: Legal in many states with Tote betting
• Fantasy Sports: Platforms like Dream11 operate legally as “games of skill” (though new Act may change this)
• International Platforms with Indian Licenses: Few platforms have obtained Indian licenses (check current status)

FAQ — Lotus365 Legal Questions Answered