HYDERABAD: The controversial Mahadev Betting App, now operating under a slightly altered name “Mahaadev”, has resurfaced, coinciding with the start of the Indian Premier League (IPL). Once at the centre of a massive crackdown that led to former Chhattisgarh CM Bhupesh Baghel being questioned for his alleged involvement with the app’s investors, the platform appears to have resumed operations through rebranded websites and proxy links, continuing to accept bets across a wide spectrum of events.TOI gained access to the platform by claiming to be a punter and found that bets were not limited to cricket. While IPL matches remain a major attraction, betting options extend to the ongoing assembly elections in West Bengal, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Assam and Puducherry.
And in sports, almost everything is fair game with bets being accepted for football, tennis, baseball, basketball, volleyball, ice hockey, rugby, horse racing, greyhound racing, and even cockfighting. The Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Act, 2025, passed by Parliament in Aug last year, bans all online money games whether they involve skill or chance, but this does not seem to have deterred those behind Mahaadev’s latest avatar.For the West Bengal elections, bets are placed on seat projections for alliances led by the BJP and the TMC. In Assam, wagering options include both the NDA bloc and the Asom Sonmilito Morcha alliance. Similar markets exist for Kerala and Tamil Nadu and Puducherry. These bets include both seat-range predictions and “odd/even” outcomes on total seats, with standardized odds and limits typically set between Rs 100 and Rs 10,000.The interface also includes adult-oriented “strip games,” where users pay, and animated characters perform actions based on the wagered amount, indicating further diversification of content to drive user engagement.The registration process is designed to be simple and discreet. Users are prompted to obtain an ID through a “Get Your ID Now” option, which redirects them to WhatsApp with a pre-filled message. Operators then share demo links, sample login credentials, and a UPI QR code to collect a registration fee of Rs 300.Once payment is made, and a screenshot of the payment is shared through WhatsApp, a user ID and temporary password are issued, along with instructional videos explaining deposit and withdrawal procedures, suggesting a structured onboarding mechanism.The betting interface itself operates as a real-time wagering system aligned with live events. During IPL matches, users can place bets not only on match outcomes but also on granular in-game events. These include session bets on runs scored within specific overs, predictions on the fall of wickets, and ball-by-ball outcomes. Each market displays dynamic odds and “Yes/No” options, enabling continuous betting throughout the match.In addition, it also features “fancy” or “combo” bets, where multiple conditions are combined into a single wager with higher returns. Betting limits typically range from Rs 100 to tens of thousands, accommodating both small and high-value participants, with a dedicated panel to track and place bets in real time.The resurgence comes despite earlier investigations by the Enforcement Directorate, which had probed the app’s alleged role in a money laundering network estimated at around Rs 6,000 crore. The probe had also drawn attention to political links, including the questioning of former Chhattisgarh CM Bhupesh Baghel. Bank accounts were frozen, and several arrests were made during the crackdown, leading to a temporary disruption of the network.A senior IPS officer TOI spoke to indicated the use of mirror sites, encrypted communication channels, offshore hosting, and layered financial transactions, making detection and enforcement more difficult.The platform’s structure, featuring real-time odds, multiple betting categories, and seamless user interaction, resembles legitimate trading systems but operates outside regulatory oversight. With its expansion across sports, politics, and other domains, the Mahaadev network underscores the continuing challenge faced by authorities in tackling large-scale, decentralized illegal betting operations in India.
