Google and Meta again summoned, 29 celebrities also under investigation:

New Delhi: Enforcement Directorate (ED) is taking major action in the case of promoting illegal online betting apps. The ED has once again issued summons to Tech giant companies Google and META, in which they have been directed to appear for questioning at the ED headquarters in Delhi on 28 July (Monday). Earlier on July 21, representatives of the two companies were summoned, but they did not appear.

Background of the case:
This test of ED mainly focuses on apps such as Mahadev Betting App and Fairplay, which is allegedly accused of running a business of illegal gambling and money laundering. The ED says that these apps are making illegal money of crores of rupees from people under the guise of ‘skill-based gaming’ and are sending this money out of the country through hawala.

ED allegations: Google and Meta promoted advertisements:
The ED has alleged that Google and Meta prominently broadcast advertisements of these betting apps on their platforms (YouTube, Facebook, Instagram etc.). Through these advertisements, the access of these apps was widespread, so that these apps could reach more people and promote illegal activities. The ED believes that these tech companies have participated in their illegal activities by advertising these apps.

29 celebrities also on ED radar:
The ED has also taken action against 29 famous celebrities on July 10 in this case. Among these celebrities, film actor Vijay Deverakonda, Rana Daggubati, Prakash Raj (Prakash Raj), Nidhi Aggarwal, Nidhi Agarwal, Pranitha Subhash (Pranitha Subhash), Pranitha Subhashmi, Manchu Lakshmi (Manchu Lakshmi) and other TV artists, host and social media Influencers include. These are accused of promoting platforms like Junglee Rummy, A23 (A23), Jeetwin, Parimatch and Lotus 365 (Lotus365), which have been found to be involved in money laundering allegedly.

Legal action and cleaning:
This investigation is being conducted under the Public Gambling Act, 1867 and Money Laundering Prevention Act (PMLA). The ED has initiated its action on the basis of the five FIRS recorded in Telangana and Andhra Pradesh. In March, the Sibrabad police also registered a case against some celebrities, although they denied promotion of any illegal app.

The ED is investigating all these allegations intensively and further action is expected in the matter soon.