New Delhi, July 10, 2025 — In a high-profile enforcement operation, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) has named 29 public figures—spanning Tollywood actors, television anchors, and cricketers—under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) for allegedly endorsing or promoting illegal betting apps that masquerade as “skill-based” platforms.
Who’s Under the Lens?
- Tollywood stars including Rana Daggubati, Vijay Deverakonda, Prakash Raj, Manchu Lakshmi, Pranitha, and Nidhhi Agerwal face charges via multiple FIRs filed in Telangana and Andhra Pradesh, citing violations of gaming laws and cyber regulations.
- Cricketers like Harbhajan Singh, Yuvraj Singh, and Suresh Raina, and actors such as Urvashi Rautela and Sonu Sood have been summoned for supporting betting platforms operating under surrogate brands like “1xBat”, “Lotus365”, and “FairPlay..
ED’s Enforcement Strategy
This operation builds upon multiple IRs:
- Asset freezes: ED seized ₹284.5 crore from entities like Probo Media Technologies, which ran deceptive apps posing as skill-based opinion platforms but offering binary
outcomes akin to gambling. - Summons and questioning: A cross-section of celebrities and media companies have faced intense questioning for allegedly aiding money laundering, violating IT, FEMA, and PMLA statutes
“Skill Games” or Gambling?
These platforms are heavily marketed as “skill-based,” claiming outcomes rely on user insight. However, forensic reviews by ED cite manipulated algorithms and two-outcome structures—like yes/no predictions—more indicative of gambling, not skill-based gaming. Independent assessments confirm many of these apps, including A23, Yolo247, JeetWin, involved binary betting models.
Scale & Social Impact
- ED officials estimate India’s illicit online betting ecosystem generates over USD 100 billion annually, evading roughly ₹27,000 crore in taxes each year. Over 110 million
users are reportedly active on such platforms, with 1.6 billion website visits recorded between January and March 2025 alone. - Disturbing collateral impact: victims include middle‐class individuals and students, with cases of financial distress—and even suicides—across Telangana, Gujarat, and other
states..
Celebrities Push Back
- Vijay Daggubati’s team clarified his endorsements, like A23.
- Others defend their roles as lawful promotions at the time, often referencing the Supreme Court’s earlier distinction between skill and chance.
What’s Next?
- ED is continuing with summons, raids, and asset attachments.
- The Ministry of Information & Broadcasting recently issued a formal advisory urging all endorsers to cease any surreptitious or misleading promotion of offshore betting platforms.
- The probe may soon lead to charges under FEMA, IT Act provisions, and even Benami Transactions Act for surrogate ad placements.
Unique Insights for The Vue Times
| Trend | Insight |
|---|---|
| Blurred Legal Lines | The “skill vs gambling” debate highlights how algorithms and outcome structures can reclassify even seemingly innocent apps as full-fledged casinos. |
| Celebrity Responsibility | Beyond legal exposure, these celebs face reputational fallout—Occlusion via FIRs could fuel public backlash leading to loss of brand deals. |
| Systemic Exploitation | Betting platforms exploit celebrity influence and surrogate ads (such as QR codes mimicking sports merchandise). The issue transcends individuals—it’s an industry-wide model. |
| Preventive Leverage | This crackdown may prompt a new regulatory framework compelling platforms to undergo algorithm audits and standardized certification before marketing as skill games. |
Why It Matters
India’s Rs 100 billion shadow-betting market is draining resources, bankrupting ordinary families, and financing underground networks—all under the radar due to celebrity and media complicity. The ED’s action aims not only to penalize individuals but dismantle the boom built on surrogate ads and influencer-driven marketing.
For The Vue Times Audience
- Alert readers to how familiar stars and social media anchors may unknowingly promote dangerous platforms.
- Encourage media responsibility and advocacy for stricter disclosure norms in celebrity dealings.
- Be a watchdog, urging transparency around algorithmic fairness and consumer protection in digital games.
