ED Probes 29 Celebrities, Including Vijay Deverakonda and Prakash Raj, in Illegal Betting App Scandal
Actors and influencers accused of promoting unregulated betting platforms now face scrutiny under money laundering laws.
Have you checked out our app yet? Download it now to get the same sharp analyses you love.
Market Watch
At close, the Sensex was down 345.80 points or 0.41 percent at 83,190.28, and the Nifty was down 120.85 points or 0.47 percent at 25,355.25. Nifty Midcap and smallcap indices shed 0.3 percent each.
Except metal, realty, all other indices ended lower with pharma, telecom, IT, PSU Bank, FMCG down 0.5 percent each. IT stocks were cautious ahead of TCS Q1 results.
ICYMI
🚫 Girls stripped for a period check after stains were found in a school washroom.
💢 Brazil hits back at Trump’s tariff rant, saying it doesn’t need “tutelage.”
🏆 Kejriwal says he deserves a Nobel Prize; BJP mocks with a “corruption category” jab.
🕰️ The Supreme Court questioned the timing of Bihar’s electoral roll revision.
📈 Bitcoin hits ₹11.2 lakh, up nearly 20% this year amid Trump’s tariff noise.
Money Laundering Heat on Stars
In a major crackdown on celebrity-endorsed online betting, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) has launched a money laundering investigation against 29 public figures, including leading film stars Vijay Deverakonda, Prakash Raj, and Rana Daggubati.
The probe focuses on allegations that these celebrities promoted illegal betting platforms, causing widespread financial losses and potentially facilitating money laundering.
The case has been registered under multiple laws, including the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), the Public Gambling Act of 1867, the Information Technology Act, and the Telangana State Gaming Act.
A-List Names Under the Scanner
The list of accused includes actors, television personalities, and high-profile social media influencers. Notable names mentioned in the Enforcement Case Information Report (ECIR) include actresses Nidhhi Agerwal, Manchu Lakshmi, Pranitha Subhash, popular anchor Srimukhi, and several digital creators with millions of followers.
The ED suspects that these individuals received substantial payments to promote and endorse online betting platforms such as Junglee Rummy, JeetWin, A23, Parimatch, Yolo 247, and Lotus365—many of which are currently being scrutinized for operating outside legal boundaries.
Origins of the Case
The investigation originates from several FIRs filed by police in Telangana and Andhra Pradesh. One key complaint was lodged by businessman Phanindra Sarma, who alleged that celebrity-backed promotions misled economically vulnerable users into betting, leading to heavy financial losses.
The Cyberabad Police initially named several celebrities in its FIR, prompting the ED to open a full-scale financial investigation into potential laundering of proceeds from these app endorsements.
Nature of the Allegations
According to ED sources, the celebrities allegedly promoted these apps through advertisements, social media posts, and influencer campaigns, without adequate checks on their legality.
The payments received are now under scrutiny for being part of a larger network of unaccounted or illegally earned income disguised as legitimate endorsement fees.
Celebrity Reactions
Several celebrities named in the probe have issued public statements in their defense:
Vijay Deverakonda stated that his endorsements were strictly for skill-based gaming platforms, and only in jurisdictions where such games are legally permitted.
Prakash Raj clarified that he had ended all affiliations with gaming platforms as far back as 2017 and has not participated in any such promotions since.
Rana Daggubati echoed similar sentiments, claiming his involvement was limited to jurisdictions where the platforms operated legally and had ended several years ago.
Next Steps in the Investigation
The ED is now examining financial transactions, payment records, and digital communication to determine the extent of each individual’s involvement.
Summons are expected to be issued soon, and the agency is also coordinating with other enforcement and regulatory bodies to assess the scale of the alleged financial violations.
Officials have called the case one of the most significant crackdowns in recent years on the growing nexus between digital gambling and celebrity marketing. More disclosures are anticipated in the coming weeks as the investigation progresses.
Clip du jour
Falling standards of Indian TV Journalism
Hi, I’m Aniket Mishra, the editor of this newsletter. I’d love to hear some feedback. WhatsApp me directly and tell me what you think.