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India summons Google, Meta for illegal betting investigation
India’s Enforcement Directorate (ED) expanded its investigation into illegal betting and gambling platforms, summoning Google, Meta, and other stakeholders.
The investigation, 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.
ED reissued summons to Google and Meta after they failed to attend questioning scheduled on July 21. The companies are to attend on July 28, as their representatives requested additional time to gather documentation.
Indian authorities probe into the digital advertisements of illegal betting apps, noting that several apps were promoted through platforms operated by Meta and Google. The agency is investigating whether the ads contributed to illegal betting activities and possible financial fraud.
Neither Google nor Meta has publicly commented on the investigation or the summons. The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting previously warned 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 was previously connected to multiple financial offenses.
The ED has also summoned 4 actors, including Rana Daggubati, Prakash Raj, Vijay Deverakonda, and Lakshmi Manchu, for questioning. The actors are examined for allegedly promoting 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 promoting illegal gambling are still under investigation.
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