The Enforcement Directorate (ED) of India has recently initiated an investigation, summoning several film stars and internet celebrities for allegedly promoting illegal online gambling applications. This action is based on the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), focusing on the role celebrities play in promoting platforms that may violate the Public Gambling Act of 1867.
Public figures being questioned include famous actors Rana Daggubati, Prakash Raj, Vijay Deverakonda, and Manchu Lakshmi, who are scheduled to appear in court from July 23 to August 13. The list also includes actresses Nidhi Agarwal, Pranitha Subhash, Ananya Nagella, and several TV artists and internet celebrities.
The investigation was triggered by a complaint from a businessman in Hyderabad, which has been registered in Telangana and Andhra Pradesh. The businessman pointed out that gambling apps attract middle and low-income groups to make high-risk bets through celebrity endorsements, leveraging their credibility to enhance user trust.
In response to the allegations, Vijay Deverakonda's team stated that he only endorses legal, skill-based gaming platforms and does so within legally permitted areas. Prakash Raj emphasized that he had terminated such collaborations back in 2017 due to ethical considerations. The Enforcement Directorate will further investigate the legality of the related financial transactions and endorsement contracts.
