Enforcement Directorate Targets 29 Telugu Celebrities in Illegal Betting App Crackdown

Hyderabad, India – July 10, 2025: The Enforcement Directorate (ED) in India has launched a significant investigation, filing an Enforcement Case Information Report (ECIR) against 29 celebrities from the Telugu-speaking states of Telangana and Andhra Pradesh. The group, which includes well-known actors, social media influencers, and YouTubers, is accused of promoting illegal online betting apps, violating the Public Gambling Act of 1867. This high-profile case has sent shockwaves through India’s entertainment and digital industries, highlighting the growing issue of unregulated online gambling.

The ED’s probe, conducted under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), was initiated following five First Information Reports (FIRs) filed by local police in Telangana and Andhra Pradesh. The celebrities are suspected of endorsing platforms such as Junglee Rummy, A23, JeetWin, Parimatch, and Lotus365, which authorities believe facilitated large-scale money laundering through paid promotions. These apps, often marketed as skill-based games, are alleged to encourage gambling, leading to significant financial losses for users, particularly vulnerable individuals.

Among those named in the ECIR are prominent Tollywood actors Vijay Deverakonda, Rana Daggubati, Prakash Raj, Nidhi Agarwal, Pranitha Subhash, Manchu Lakshmi, and Ananya Nagella. The list also includes popular TV hosts and influencers such as Sreemukhi, Shyamala, Varshini Sounderajan, Harsha Sai, and Bayya Sunny Yadav. The ED claims these individuals received substantial payments for their endorsements, which may have contributed to illegal financial networks.

The investigation stems from a complaint filed by a businessman, Phanindra Sarma, in March 2025, at the Miyapur Police Station in Cyberabad. Sarma alleged that the celebrities’ promotions, often through social media pop-up ads, misled users into participating in betting activities, resulting in addiction and financial distress. Earlier this year, the Cyberabad police had also booked several of these celebrities for similar offenses, prompting the ED to escalate the matter.

Some celebrities have defended their actions. Vijay Deverakonda and Rana Daggubati clarified that they only endorsed legally permitted skill-based gaming platforms, citing Supreme Court rulings that distinguish such games from gambling. Prakash Raj, who promoted Junglee Rummy in 2016, stated he ended his contract after a year upon realizing it was ethically questionable, and has not endorsed similar platforms since.

India’s gambling laws, primarily governed by the Public Gambling Act of 1867, are complex, with individual states holding the authority to regulate betting activities. While states like Goa, Daman, and Sikkim permit certain forms of gambling, such as casinos, Telangana and Andhra Pradesh have strict bans on online betting. The outdated 1867 law, enacted before the internet era, has been interpreted to include online gambling, creating legal challenges for enforcement.

The ED’s crackdown is part of a broader effort to curb illegal betting apps in India. In 2023 and 2024, the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) banned 174 betting and gambling apps, including some named in this case, for unauthorized financial transactions and potential money laundering. The government has also amended laws to require offshore gaming companies to register in India, granting authorities the power to block non-compliant platforms.

This case underscores the risks celebrities and influencers face when endorsing unregulated products. Legal experts emphasize that public figures must conduct due diligence to ensure the legitimacy of the platforms they promote. “Celebrities have a responsibility to their fans,” said a cybercrime officer. “Promoting illegal apps can mislead vulnerable people and lead to serious consequences.”

As the investigation unfolds, the ED is expected to summon the named individuals for questioning and trace financial transactions linked to these endorsements. The case could set a precedent for stricter regulations on celebrity endorsements and online gambling in India, a country where betting apps have gained popularity among young audiences, often with devastating financial and social impacts.