Actor Vijay Deverakonda was present at the Enforcement Directorate (ED) office in Basheerbagh, Hyderabad, on Wednesday, August 6, as part of a continued investigation into the alleged endorsement of unauthorized online betting platforms.
Deverakonda is among 29 individuals summoned by the ED under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA). The agency is examining whether celebrities and influencers knowingly took part in paid promotion campaigns for online betting apps that were presented to the public as mere entertainment or charity initiatives, potentially sidestepping regulations.
ED sources indicate that Vijay Deverakonda's statements will be cross-examined with the evidence and testimonies provided by others who have already been questioned in this case.
The inquiry broadly addresses the issue of unregulated gambling apps being disguised in celebrity campaigns, with investigations rooted in several FIRs registered across Telangana and Andhra Pradesh. The probe covers a wide spectrum of individuals, including film actors, TV anchors, YouTubers, and social media influencers.
Earlier, on July 30, actor Prakash Raj was questioned by the ED. Following his appearance, Prakash Raj clarified to the media that the matter was from 2016 and asserted he had not accepted any money, emphasizing his willingness to cooperate with authorities and dismissing any political motives behind the summons.
While some personalities have already responded and appeared at the ED office, others have sought more time. Rana Daggubati requested a rescheduling of his initial summons, and Manchu Lakshmi is expected to appear on August 13.
The ongoing ED investigation seeks to clarify whether the celebrity-driven online betting promotions were isolated incidents or part of a larger, coordinated campaign targeting Indian users.
