Updated October 13, 2026
Deposits and withdrawals on casino and betting apps stopped working for many Pakistani users in early October 2026 because the FIA is investigating the wallet and aggregator channels that moved this money. Closed aggregator accounts, delayed settlements and tighter State Bank of Pakistan rules all hit those channels at the same time.
The FIA is investigating a Rs120 billion betting network
The FIA is probing an alleged online betting network linked to Easypaisa and JazzCash accounts. According to the FIR, the amounts deposited into these accounts matched the payments offered on gambling platforms, which let investigators connect the transactions to suspected betting activity.
Investigators allege that corporate accounts opened through JazzCash and Easypaisa during 2024 and 2025 belonged to companies whose declared business did not match the transactions they processed. Funds then moved into MMBL disbursement accounts, from which many smaller payments were made. That is the payout side, which is why withdrawals are failing along with deposits.
JazzCash closed hundreds of aggregator accounts
JazzCash closed over 100 aggregator accounts following FIA notices, and industry sources say a wider internal review pushed the total of closed or suspended accounts past 300. Aggregators handled large transaction volumes for online platforms, so closing them cut off a major deposit route.
Easypaisa merchant settlements are delayed
Since October 5, merchant transactions across six payment firms have faced settlement problems. These are SWICH, Simpaisa, ajarPay, RapidPay, Zero Technologies and Finza Tech, and the international processor dLocal is also investigating issues tied to Easypaisa.
Easypaisa’s ordinary wallet services and person-to-person transfers continue to work. The problem sits in the merchant and intermediary channels that gaming apps used, not in everyday wallet use.
Payments were allegedly disguised, so screening is tighter
Investigators say operators disguised betting payments as ordinary P2P or B2B transfers and moved funds through bank accounts, mobile wallets and USDT. After findings like this, payment companies and banks tighten screening, and flagged transfers get delayed, held or reversed.
New SBP rules for payment intermediaries
In May 2026 the State Bank of Pakistan introduced a framework with stricter documentation, foreign exchange compliance and financial-flow monitoring for payment intermediaries and aggregators. Intermediaries that cannot show clean documentation for their merchants now face closure or suspension.
The apps themselves are blocked and prosecuted
Casino and betting apps are prohibited in Pakistan. The PTA has blocked 184 gambling websites and apps, and the NCCIA declared 46 more apps illegal. Authorities have also charged influencers who promoted gambling apps, and online offences have been brought under the Anti-Money Laundering Act. When an app is blocked, balances held on it can become hard to withdraw.
Is there a date when this will be fixed?
An official restoration date has not been announced. The FIA probe is active, arrests were reported in coverage published October 10, and raids are continuing, so a quick return of these payment routes looks improbable.
What users should keep in mind
- Agent deposits carry risk. Sending money to personal wallet numbers of “agents” is risky because investigators are tracing these transfers, and wallets can be frozen.
- Held funds may not return. Money already on a blocked or non-paying app may be difficult to recover.
- Fake support is common. Scammers pose as app support or recovery agents, so never share your wallet PIN or OTP.
- Everyday wallet use is unaffected. Bill payments and P2P transfers on Easypaisa and JazzCash work normally.
- Follow official sources. Watch announcements from Easypaisa, JazzCash, the SBP and the FIA rather than social media claims.
Summary
Deposits and withdrawals on casino apps in Pakistan are failing in October 2026 because of the FIA’s Rs120 billion investigation, hundreds of closed JazzCash aggregator accounts, delayed Easypaisa merchant settlements, stricter SBP rules and ongoing blocking of the apps. There is no confirmed timeline for a return.