Companies summoned again for July 28

India's illegal betting investigation widens to tech platforms with Google, Meta execs. summoned

India’s Enforcement Directorate reissues summons to Google and Meta executives.
2025-07-22
Reading time 1:25 min

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) of India has widened its investigation into illegal betting and gambling platforms to include multiple stakeholders beyond digital platforms.

The probe, conducted under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), now covers tech companies Google and Meta, app developers, media outlets, hawala operators, and celebrities allegedly involved in promoting unauthorized gambling schemes.

The agency reissued summons to Google and Meta after their executives failed to attend questioning scheduled on July 21. Both companies have been directed to appear on July 28. Sources cited by the Press Trust of India said that Google and Meta had requested additional time to gather documentation.

Authorities are examining the use of digital advertisements on social media and online platforms to promote illegal betting apps. Officials said that several betting apps under investigation were advertised through platforms operated by Google and Meta.

The agency is investigating whether the ads contributed to illegal betting activities and possible financial fraud. The ED is also looking into tax evasion and the laundering of funds via these online betting schemes.

Neither Google nor Meta has publicly commented on the investigation or the summons. The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting previously issued advisories warning digital platforms against publishing betting-related advertisements. However, officials reported that violations were still recorded.

The investigation includes the Mahadev Online Book app, a betting platform reportedly operated from Chhattisgarh, which has been linked to multiple financial offenses. The ED is examining evidence of foreign-linked betting operations allegedly using Indian digital platforms to facilitate illegal transactions.

The ED has also summoned four actors—Rana Daggubati, Prakash Raj, Vijay Deverakonda, and Lakshmi Manchu—for questioning. These celebrities are being investigated for allegedly endorsing illegal betting apps on social media. Daggubati is scheduled to appear before the agency’s Hyderabad zonal office on July 23; Raj on July 30; Deverakonda on August 6; and Manchu on August 13.

More than a dozen cases connected to illegal gambling operations are currently under investigation by the agency. The ED’s inquiry is mapping financial transactions associated with digital ad monetization and potential proceeds of crime linked to the betting entities.

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