The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has intensified its probe into an illegal betting app racket by summoning several high-profile South Indian film celebrities, including Rana Daggubati, Prakash Raj, Vijay Deverakonda, and Lakshmi Manchu. The actors have been asked to appear before the ED on the following dates:
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Rana Daggubati: July 23
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Prakash Raj: July 30
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Vijay Deverakonda: August 6
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Lakshmi Manchu: August 13
These summonses stem from a wider investigation based on an FIR filed by the Cyberabad police in Hyderabad, now being pursued by the ED. The case names 29 celebrities for allegedly promoting illegal betting platforms under the guise of online gaming.
According to the FIR accessed by India Today TV, the individuals are charged under:
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Sections 318(4) and 112, read with Section 49 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS)
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Section 4 of the Telangana State Gaming Act (TSGA)
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Section 66-D of the Information Technology Act
These legal provisions relate to fraud, deceptive online activity, and promotion of illegal gambling.
Key associations cited in the FIR:
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Rana Daggubati and Prakash Raj: Promoted Junglee Rummy
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Vijay Deverakonda: Linked with A23
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Lakshmi Manchu: Linked with Yolo247
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Praneetha Subhash: Associated with Fairplay
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Nidhi Agarwal: Tied to Jeet Win
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Ananya Nagalla and anchor Srimukhi: Also under scrutiny
The ED is reportedly tracing financial transactions and digital trails to determine whether the celebrities received payments for endorsements and whether the promotions led users to illegal betting activity.
Prakash Raj, in a post on X, clarified he had endorsed a gaming app in 2016 but withdrew in 2017 after realising the ethical implications. He stated: “I have not promoted any gaming apps since,” and affirmed his willingness to cooperate with the investigation.
Rana Daggubati also issued a statement saying his endorsement of a skill-based gaming platform ended in 2017, limited only to permitted jurisdictions. He emphasized that his legal team ensured the promotion complied with the Supreme Court’s rulings, which distinguish skill-based games from gambling.
The case underscores growing concerns over celebrity endorsements of online gaming platforms, many of which operate in legal grey areas. The ED’s actions reflect a larger push by Indian authorities to crack down on illegal online gambling and deceptive digital promotions, especially when promoted by influential public figures.
