Latest news with #PublicGamblingAct
Time of India
3 days ago
- Business
- Time of India
Google officials appear before ED in case linked to promotion of "illegal" online betting and gambling platforms
Representative Image Google executives appeared before the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in connection to a money laundering investigation related to alleged promotion of "illegal" online betting and gambling platforms, reports news agency PTI. The probe agency had called executives of both Google and Meta, first on July 21. The officials then sought more time, citing the need to gather relevant documents and information before they present themselves for questioning and recording of their statements. However, only representatives of Google deposed, the agency said, quoting official sources. As per the PTI report, ED may have recorded the statement of a designated "compliance officer" of Google under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) in addition to obtaining some documents from the company. A Google spokesperson told the news agency in a statement last week that the company was "committed to keeping our platforms safe and secure, prohibiting the promotion of illegal gambling ads." "We are extending our full support and cooperation to investigating agencies to hold bad actors responsible and keep users safe," the spokesperson then added. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Brain tumor has left my son feeling miserable; please help! Donate For Health Donate Now Undo Why ED summoned Meta, Google The PTI report says that ED is investigating multiple platforms hosting illegal betting and gambling links, and how these companies are able to advertise on various digital and social media platforms. The tech companies were called to explain the mechanisms that allowed such promotions. The ED is also expected to question several celebrities and sportspersons in connection with the same probe. Earlier this month, actors Prakash Raj, Vijay Deverakonda, and Rana Daggubati and 26 other celebrities were charged by ED for endorsing betting apps. They have been accused of violating the Public Gambling Act, 1867, by promoting such gambling apps. According to the agency, the platforms under investigation were involved in cheating users and laundering money, with large-scale tax evasion also suspected. The ED is currently handling more than a dozen cases linked to illegal betting apps, including the Mahadev Online Book, which is believed to be run by individuals from Chhattisgarh. Boat Aavante Prime 5.1 5000DA soundbar review: DOLBY ATMOS POWER! AI Masterclass for Students. Upskill Young Ones Today!– Join Now
The Print
5 days ago
- The Print
Allahabad HC grants anticipatory bail to accused in Rs 95 crore cyber fraud
Azamgarh police had busted an organised gang running a cyber fraud racket under the guise of an online game called Cricket Buzz and arrested seven members of the gang. Justice Gautam Chaudhary granted the anticipatory bail to Vivek Jaiswal last week saying that in case of arrest, he will be released on bail. The gang had committed cyber fraud of about Rs 95 crore from 208 bank accounts in which Rs 1 crore was frozen, according to the police. An FIR in this connection was lodged at police station Cyber Crime at Azamgarh under various sections of Bhartiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and of Public Gambling Act along with IT Act. The seven members of the gang were arrested from Pandeypur in Badalpur police station area of Varanasi. The gang used to lure people to log on to a website through WhatsApp, Telegram and Facebook by promising to double or triple the money through online games/tasks and transfer their money to fake accounts. While granting the anticipatory bail, the court said that the petitioner will cooperate during the trial and investigation and will be present on time and it was assured that the petitioner is ready to cooperate in the process of law and whenever required, he will honestly appear before the court. PTI COR RAJ NB NB This report is auto-generated from PTI news service. ThePrint holds no responsibility for its content.
Hans India
24-07-2025
- Hans India
ED issues fresh summons, asks Rana Daggubati to appear on Aug 11
Hyderabad: The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has issued fresh summons to actor Rana Daggubati in connection with its investigation into the alleged promotion of illegal online betting apps. Sources said that the film actor has been asked to appear on August 11, following a request for additional time. He was earlier directed to appear in person on July 23. The summons were issued after the ED registered an Enforcement Case Information Report (ECIR) earlier this month under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), naming 29 individuals, including actors, television personalities, YouTubers, and influencers. The case is based on five FIRs registered in Panjagutta, Miyapur, Cyberabad, Suryapet, and Visakhapatnam, citing suspected violations of the Public Gambling Act, 1867. The probing agency was suspecting that the film and TV celebrities promoted betting platforms such as Junglee Rummy, A23, JeetWin, Parimatch, and Lotus365, and received huge sums of money for endorsements. Those named in the ECIR include actors Praneetha and Nidhi Agarwal, as well as media personalities such as Ananya Nagella, Siri Hanumanthu, Sreemukhi, Varshini Sounderajan, Vasanthi Krishnan, and Shoba Shetty. The ED is currently examining whether the endorsements formed a part of a coordinated strategy to funnel users to unauthorised betting platforms.
Time of India
24-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Rana Daggubati fails to appear before ED in illegal betting promotions probe; cites film shoot; requests new date
Actor has reportedly informed the (ED) that he is unable to attend their summons scheduled for July 23 due to prior film commitments in Tamil Nadu. The Tollywood star was one among several celebrities asked to appear before the central agency in connection with an ongoing investigation into illegal betting app promotions. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now The probe is being carried out under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) and is based on multiple FIRs filed across Telangana and Andhra Pradesh. According to The Statesman website, while Rana has sought a fresh date, ED officials are expected to issue a revised summons soon. The agency had also summoned fellow actors Prakash Raj, Vijay Deverakonda, and Manchu Lakshmi as part of the investigation. Their appearances are scheduled for July 30, August 6, and August 13 respectively. A long list of names under scrutiny The investigation involves a larger group of 29 celebrities—ranging from film actors to influencers and television personalities—who are alleged to have promoted online betting platforms operating in violation of the Public Gambling Act, 1867. These include actors like Nidhhi Agerwal, Pranitha Subhash, and Ananya Nagalla, as well as popular TV personalities such as Sreemukhi, Shyamala, Varshini Sounderajan, Vasanthi Krishnan, and others. The case stems from FIRs lodged in several police stations including Panjagutta, Miyapur, Suryapet, and Visakhapatnam. Platforms like Junglee Rummy, A23, JeetWin, Parimatch, and Lotus365 are said to be at the center of this promotional activity. ED sources believe that these campaigns may have contributed to routing large sums of money through questionable financial channels. Clarifications from the actors In earlier statements, both Rana Daggubati and Vijay Deverakonda asserted that they had only endorsed skill-based gaming platforms that are legal in India. Actor Prakash Raj clarified that while he had once been associated with a betting app, he chose not to renew the contract after 2017 due to ethical concerns. Manchu Lakshmi has not yet issued a public comment regarding the investigation.
Hans India
23-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Hans India
Betting apps case: Rana Daggubati seeks alternate date to appear before ED
Hyderabad: Actor Rana Daggubati has sought an alternate date to appear before the Enforcement Directorate in the case relating to alleged promotion of illegal betting apps. The Tollywood actor was issued notice to appear on Wednesday (July 23), but he communicated to the Central agency that he would not be able to appear as he was busy with a film shoot. The actor is reported to be busy with the film shoot in Tamil Nadu. The central agency is likely to issue a fresh notice to the actor with an alternate date for his appearance. The ED has summoned actors Rana Daggubati, Prakash Raj, Vijay Deverakonda, and Manchu Lakshmi in the case. Prakash Raj has been summoned on July 30. The ED has asked Vijaya Deverakonda to appear on August 6 while Manchu Lakshmi has been directed to appear on August 13. The four actors were among 29 celebrities booked by the ED on July 10 for allegedly endorsing illegal betting apps. The central agency filed an ECIR against 29 actors, influencers, and YouTubers for allegedly promoting illegal betting platforms, in violation of the Public Gambling Act, 1867. The probe, under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act, is based on five FIRs filed in Telangana and Andhra Pradesh. Film actors Vijay Deverakonda, Rana Daggubati, Prakash Raj, Nidhi Agarwal, Pranitha Subhash and Manchu Lakshmi, and Ananya Nagella are among those who have been booked by the ED. The names of TV actors, TV hosts and social media influencers like Sreemukhi, Shyamala, Varshini Sounderajan. Vasanthi Krishnan, Shoba Shetty, Amrutha Chowdary, Nayani Pavani, Neha Pathan, Pandu, Padhmavathi, Harsha Sai and Bayya Sunny Yadav also figure in the list. Most of these celebrities were earlier booked by Hyderabad and Cyberabad Police. FIRs were registered against them at Panjagutta, Miyapur, Cyberabad, Suryapet, and Visakhapatnam police stations. The ED suspects endorsements of platforms like Junglee Rummy, A23, JeetWin, Parimatch, Lotus365, and others involved laundering of large sums through paid promotions. When some of the actors were booked by Hyderabad and Cyberabad Police, they denied wrongdoing, claiming they ended contracts over ethical concerns. In March this year, Vijay Deverakonda, Rana Daggubati, Prakash Raj and others were booked by Cyberabad Police for allegedly promoting betting apps. They, however, clarified that they are not promoting any illegal app. While Rana Daggubati and Vijay Devarakonda stated that they endorsed only legally permitted online skill-based games, Prakash Raj said he did not renew a contract to promote an app in 2017 after realising that he should not have done it.
