Hyderabad: Enforcement Directorate has summoned four prominent film actors — Vijay Deverakonda, Rana Daggubati, Prakash Raj and Manchu Lakshmi — as part of its investigation into the alleged promotion of illegal online betting and gaming platforms.The summons were issued after the agency registered an Enforcement Case Information Report (ECIR) under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act against 29 actors, influencers and content creators. The ECIR is based on FIRs filed by police in Panjagutta, Miyapur, Visakhapatnam, Suryapet and Cyberabad in Telangana and Andhra Pradesh. The FIRs allege that several celebrities and social media figures promoted gambling and online betting apps.Besides the four actors who have been summoned, others under the ED’s lens include actors Nidhi Agarwal, Pranitha, Sreemukhi and Shyamala. Several YouTubers and digital influencers such as Harsha Sai and Bayya Sunny Yadav, and a YouTube channel, ‘Local Boi Nani’, have also been named in the investigation.Sources said Rana has been asked to appear before the central agency on July 23, followed by Prakash Raj on July 30, Deverakonda on Aug 6, and Lakshmi on Aug 13. ED is expected to continue issuing summons to others linked to the case in a phased manner.Telangana govt has taken a firm stand against online betting and gambling by enacting one of the most stringent legal frameworks in the country. Under the Telangana Gaming (Amendment) Act, 2017, all forms of online betting and gaming for stakes — whether skill-based or chance-based — are banned in the state. This includes even those platforms that are considered legal or skill-based in other parts of India, such as rummy or fantasy sports. The law prohibits both hosting and participation in such games within Telangana’s jurisdiction, and violators can face criminal charges.The investigation was triggered by a complaint filed on March 19 by a Miyapur resident, P M Phanindra Sarma. In his statement, Sarma said he had noticed a growing trend of young people in his area turning to online betting after seeing promotional content featuring celebrities.He alleged that actors like Rana and Prakash Raj endorsed JungleeRummy, while Deverakonda was seen promoting A23 — all betting platforms. Sarma claimed that such endorsements mislead the public by promising quick financial returns, pushing many into debt and financial distress.He said he had nearly invested in one such app but decided against it following his family’s advice. His complaint has since led to wider scrutiny of celebrity involvement in online gambling promotions.
