Actors, TV Hosts Among 29 Booked by ED for Promoting Betting Apps

Quick Summary:

• Enforcement Directorate action: The ED has filed an Enforcement Case Information Report (ECIR) against 29 individuals, including actors, TV hosts, social media influencers, adn YouTubers. Allegations include promoting illegal betting applications.
• Legal Basis: The inquiry is under the Public Gambling Act of 1867 and the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA). Five FIRs were registered across Panjagutta, Miyapur, Cyberabad, Suryapet, and visakhapatnam.
• Platforms Involved: Apps such as Junglee Rummy, A23, jeetwin, Parimatch and Lotus365 are accused of facilitating gambling despite claims of being skill-based games.
• Promotions & Financial Losses: Celebrities allegedly endorsed these platforms for significant compensation. A complainant reported losing ₹3 crore due to such promotions disguised as entertainment or social service.
• Named Individuals: Prominent names include Rana Daggubati, Prakash Raj, Vijay Devarakonda among others from film/TV industries and digital creators. Some management teams behind the apps were also named.
• Public response & Statements: Several accused denied wrongdoing or claimed they ended deals after realizing ethical/legal issues. ED plans to summon them soon for questioning.

Indian Opinion Analysis:

The Enforcement Directorate’s action focuses on curbing the misuse of celebrity endorsements in promoting gambling platforms disguised as skill-based games. This case underlines ongoing challenges in India’s legal landscape concerning online gaming regulations-a sector frequently enough caught between definitions of legality based on “skill vs chance.”

While celebrity promotions can hold widespread influence over public decision-making-especially in financial behaviors-this crackdown highlights accountability at both individual and corporate levels. It also brings attention to gaps in regulatory frameworks for online platforms that straddle legal gray areas.For India’s entertainment economy and digital space policymakers alike, this investigation might spark discussions about ethical advertising norms and stricter oversight mechanisms.Any evidence linking paid promotions to illegal activities could have lasting implications for public trust in influencers’ endorsements.

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