ED raids houses of casino dealers in Hyderabad

HYDERABAD: The Enforcement Directorate carried out raids in eight locations in Hyderabad, on Wednesday, from where casino operators were allegedly running business. The ED registered cases for violating the Foreign Exchange Management Act, 1999, (FEMA) which is "to consolidate and amend the law relating to foreign exchange with the objective of facilitating external trade and payments and for promoting the orderly development and maintenance of foreign exchange market in India."

The ED searched houses of Praveen Chikoti, Madhava Reddy and others, who were previously involved in casino cases.

Reportedly, casino camps were being run in Siliguri, on the Indo-Nepal border. Investigation revealed that casinos were being operated in Nepal, Phuket and Indonesia. Poker material was sent to Nepal by special flights from the Shamshabad airport.

Madhava Reddy allegedly held a Casino night - "All IN", at Hotel Mechi Crown, in Nepal, on June 10, 11, 12, 13. They organised 'teen patti', 'andar bahar', roulette, marriage and other casino events. The winners were to get a prize money of Rs 3 lakhs, which would be transferred through 'hawala' payments.

Dancers from South India, North India and Nepal were also hired to perform in the casinos.

Investigation revealed that Praveen and Madhav promoted the events, which were held for 4-5 days every month, by inviting Bollywood and Tollywood actors. They said that the actors would be performing at the 'gala events'.

Poker packages, for the five-day events, were sent in multiple packages.

VIPs and VVIPs were invited from all over India and investors.

The ED is probing into the possibility of people getting huge cash rewards.