The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has made a significant arrest in a high-profile betting and money laundering case, detaining Karnataka Congress MLA K C Veerendra. The arrest, carried out on August 23, 2025, comes after an extensive two-day search operation across multiple states, exposing one of the biggest illegal betting rackets in recent times.

Nationwide Raids and Casino Links

The ED’s operation spanned 31 locations across India, including Bengaluru, Hubli, Mumbai, Jodhpur, Goa, and Gangtok. The raids extended to several casinos such as Big Daddy Casino, Ocean Rivers Casino, Puppy’s Casino Pride, Ocean 7 Casino, and Puppy’s Casino Gold. Investigators found evidence that these casinos were being used to route and layer illicit funds collected from betting activities.

According to the ED, K C Veerendra was operating illegal betting platforms under the names King567 and Raja567. His brother, K C Thippeswamy, managed the backend operations through Dubai-based firms Diamond Softech, TRS Technologies, and Prime9Technologies. These companies were allegedly providing technical and call centre support for online gaming and betting activities.

Authorities revealed that the Dubai operations were central to laundering and layering illegal earnings, ensuring funds were moved across jurisdictions to avoid detection.

Major Seizures During the ED Operation

The crackdown led to the seizure of ₹12 crore in cash, including ₹1 crore in foreign currency. Along with this, officials confiscated gold jewellery worth ₹6 crore, 10 kg of silver articles, and four high-end luxury vehicles.

The ED also froze 17 bank accounts and two bank lockers under provisions of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), 2002. Documents related to property investments and financial transactions were seized from the residence of K C Nagaraj, Veerendra’s brother, and his son Pruthvi N Raj.

Officials stated that the evidence suggested “complex layering of cash and funds” involving both domestic players and international networks.

Arrest and Legal Proceedings

Veerendra was arrested in Gangtok, where he had reportedly travelled with associates to explore leasing a casino property. He was presented before a Judicial Magistrate in Gangtok, who granted transit remand for him to be brought back to Bengaluru for further legal proceedings.

The ED has highlighted that the MLA’s arrest is part of a larger crackdown on illegal online betting syndicates, many of which are believed to be operating out of Dubai and Southeast Asia.

Associates Under the Scanner

Veerendra’s close family members, including his brother K C Thippeswamy and nephew Pruthvi N Raj, are also under the ED’s radar. Investigators suspect they were directly involved in managing betting platforms, fund transfers, and offshore layering of illicit money.

The ED has not ruled out the possibility of more political and business figures being linked to this racket. The involvement of casinos, international companies, and Dubai-based financial operators underscores the transnational scale of the illegal betting industry.

Political Impact

The arrest of a sitting Congress MLA is expected to have significant political implications in Karnataka. Opposition parties are likely to use this incident to target the Congress leadership, demanding accountability and transparency.

Conclusion

The arrest of K C Veerendra marks a major step in the fight against illegal betting, money laundering, and offshore financial crimes. With the seizure of crores in cash, jewellery, luxury assets, and freezing of bank accounts, the case highlights how betting networks are deeply entrenched in politics, business, and international crime syndicates.

The case is still unfolding, and more revelations are expected as the ED continues its investigation into the illegal betting empire with Dubai links.

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