The Enforcement Directorate (ED) in Hyderabad is investigating 29 film and TV celebrities for promoting online betting apps. Among these celebrities are well-known actors Vijay Devarakonda and Rana Daggubati. The ED has launched a money laundering case to explore how much money was generated through illegal betting activities. They plan to call these celebrities for questioning to understand their involvement in promoting these online platforms.
The list of celebrities under scrutiny also includes Prakash Raj, Manchu Lakshmi, Pranitha Subhash, Nidhhi Agerwal, and several others. The ED is checking if these individuals received large payments for endorsing the betting apps, suspecting a significant money laundering scheme linked to these promotions.
A businessman previously filed a complaint accusing these stars of advertising betting apps through social media and other channels. This led to a police case under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), the Telangana Gaming Act (2017), which bans online betting, and the IT Act.
The ED’s case includes names tied to apps like Junglee Rummy, JeetWin, and Lotus365. These stars allegedly accepted promotional fees without confirming the legality of these services. Some have already given statements to the police, and the ED will soon interview them to assess their level of involvement.
The investigation is expanding as the ED collects more complaints and First Information Reports (FIRs). They aim to trace any illegal funds and determine how much money was laundered through these endorsements. The ED will evaluate each person’s knowledge and intent to decide on potential legal actions.
