India probes celebrity ties to suspected illegal betting app promotions
Film and television personalities are under investigation.
India.- The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has summoned high-profile film actors and digital influencers in an investigation into the promotion of illegal online betting apps. The probe, carried out under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), centres on allegations that celebrities helped promote gambling platforms that may have violated the Public Gambling Act of 1867.
Among those called for questioning are well-known actors Rana Daggubati, Prakash Raj, Vijay Deverakonda, and Manchu Lakshmi, who are scheduled to appear before the ED between July 23 and August 13. They are part of a group of 29 public figures, also including actresses Nidhi Agarwal, Pranitha Subhash, and Ananya Nagella, named in the case.
Several television actors and online personalities, such as Sreemukhi, Shyamala, and Bayya Sunny Yadav, also appear on the ED’s list. The investigation follows multiple FIRs filed in Telangana and Andhra Pradesh, prompted by a complaint from a Hyderabad-based businessman, who alleged that celebrity-backed promotions were attracting lower and middle-income users to high-risk betting.
The complaint claimed the apps used celebrity influence to build trust among users. Representatives for Vijay Deverakonda say the actor only endorsed legally permitted skill-based games, and only in jurisdictions where such activities were allowed. Prakash Raj previously said he chose not to renew his promotional contract in 2017 after realising the potential ethical concerns.
