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ED books 29 celebrities for endorsing betting apps
The financial crimes agency has launched a money laundering probe into nearly 30 celebrities for promoting illegal online betting platforms, intensifying scrutiny of influencer-backed gambling ads.
The ED’s investigation is part of a wider crackdown on the illegal online betting ecosystem, which has attracted growing concern among authorities for its links to money laundering, tax evasion, and other financial crimes.
The Enforcement Directorate in India has opened a money laundering investigation into nearly 30 actors, social media influencers, and YouTubers accused of promoting illegal online betting platforms, deepening a government crackdown on digital gambling operations that have surged in popularity.
The probe, under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act, was launched after local police in several cities, including Hyderabad and Visakhapatnam, filed complaints linking celebrity endorsements to illegal gambling activities. Those under investigation include prominent actors such as Vijay Deverakonda, Rana Daggubati and Prakash Raj, as well as television personalities and online content creators with large followings on YouTube and Instagram. Among them are Nidhi Agarwal, Pranitha Subhash, Manchu Lakshmi, and TV hosts Sreemukhi and Shyamala, and YouTubers like Harsha Sai, Bayya Sunny Yadav, and Local Boi Nani are also under scrutiny.
Authorities allege that the celebrities promoted platforms such as JeetWin, Parimatch and Lotus365, which are suspected of laundering significant sums of money through paid promotional campaigns. The Enforcement Directorate is expected to issue summonses in the coming weeks.
Several of the celebrities have denied wrongdoing, stating that they terminated contracts with these platforms over ethical concerns. But the case has drawn attention to the influence of celebrity marketing in the growing digital gambling sector, where online betting apps are often promoted under the guise of gaming or philanthropy.
Complaints from individuals, including one who reported losing more than ₹3 crore, claim that the celebrity-backed promotions encouraged gambling habits and led to substantial financial losses. The investigation underscores the challenges regulators face in policing online gambling in India, where laws dating back to the 19th century are being tested by the rise of digital platforms and influencer marketing.
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