ED Cases On Celebrities For Promoting Betting Apps

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) today registered a case against several celebrities and social media influencers for allegedly promoting illegal betting applications.

The case involves violations under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA).

Around 29 celebrities have been named in the ED's case, including Rana Daggubati, Prakash Raj, Vijay Deverakonda, Manchu Lakshmi, Pranitha Subhash, Nidhhi Agerwal, Ananya Nagalla, Siri Hanumanth, Sreemukhi, Varshini Sounderajan, Vasanthi Krishnan, Shobha Shetty, Amrutha Chowdhary, Nayani Pavani, Neha Pathan, Pandu, Padmavati, Imran Khan, Vishnu Priya, Harsha Sai, Bhaiyya Sunny Yadav, Shyamala, Tasty Teja, Reethu Chowdhary, Bandaru Seshayani Supreetha, Kiran Goud, Ajay, Sunny, Sudheer and Nani.

The ED has taken cognizance of the promotional activities being carried out by the endorsers of the betting platforms, and of their encouraging users to participate in unlawful online betting.

According to sources, online betting apps such as Junglee Rummy, JeetWin and Lotus365 are said to have amassed illicit funds amounting to crores of rupees from illegal betting and gambling activities, and these celebrities are said to have promoted them in exchange for endorsement fees.

Sources say the investigation was triggered after large-scale promotional activities aimed at luring users into illegal betting came to light. Financial transactions made through digital wallets for such endorsements are currently under scrutiny.

The ED is expected to record statements in the coming days, while continuing to file additional FIRs and identify more individuals who may have been defrauded by these platforms. A detailed investigation is underway to estimate the total proceeds of crime generated by these applications and to determine the extent of each celebrity's involvement. Their culpability will be assessed following the recording of their statements and financial details, sources said.