Actors in ED crosshairs over illegal betting apps; ECIRs against 29 celebrities including Prakash Raj, Prakash Raj, Nidhi Agarwal & Manchu Lakshmi, influencers for promoting gambling platforms

HYDERABAD: In a major crackdown on illegal online betting networks, Enforcement Directorate has registered an Enforcement Case Information Report (ECIR) against 29 actors, influencers, and social media personalities for allegedly endorsing gambling platforms in violation of the law.The investigation, initiated under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act, stems from five FIRs filed by police in Panjagutta, Miyapur, Cyberabad, Suryapet and Visakhapatnam in Telangana and Andhra Pradesh.Among the high-profile actors named in the ECIR are Vijay Deverakonda, Rana Daggubati, Prakash Raj, Nidhi Agarwal, Pranitha Subhash, and Manchu Lakshmi, as well as television hosts Sreemukhi and Shyamala.

YouTubers, digital influencers also under agency's scanner Prominent YouTubers and digital influencers like Harsha Sai, Bayya Sunny Yadav, and the team behind the 'Local Boi Nani' channel are also under the agency's scanner.The ED suspects these individuals promoted betting platforms such as Junglee Rummy, A23, JeetWin, Parimatch, Lotus365, and others-allegedly in violation of the Public Gambling Act, 1867.

Investigators also suspect large sums of money were routed through these campaigns, potentially amounting to money laundering.The ED is expected to summon all 29 individuals named in the ECIR in the coming weeks to record their statements. Investigators are also reportedly tracing the financial trails of paid promotions, sponsorship deals, and digital ad revenue associated with the named platforms.The actors, however, denied any wrongdoing and said they terminated the contracts after ethical concerns were raised.

The crackdown follows a series of public complaints highlighting the adverse influence of celebrity-endorsed gambling promotions. One such complaint came from PM Phanindra Sarma of Miyapur, who filed a police report on March 19, 2025, warning that celebrity endorsements were fuelling a surge in gambling in youth."I nearly invested after seeing promotions by popular influencers, only my family's intervention stopped me," Sarma said in his complaint.

He listed names including Daggubati (Junglee Rummy), Prakash Raj (Junglee Rummy) and Deverakonda (A23).Similarly, on March 17, Vinay Vangala, also from Miyapur, named influencers Imran Khan, Vishnu Priya, Harsha, and others in his complaint, citing their promotion of apps like JetX, Taj777, and Winbuzz via Instagram and Telegram.Earlier, on Feb 21, Puli Kumar Reddy from Visakhapatnam reported losing over ₹3.09 crore after being lured by YouTube promotions for platforms such as DAFABET, IXBET, and 10CRIC.

He specifically pointed to the Local Boi Nani channel for marketing these platforms under the guise of entertainment.A suo motu FIR was registered by police constable M Manoj Kumar in Suryapet, flagging videos by Sunny Yadav. The fifth FIR was registered by Cyberabad cyber crime police, based on a complaint from Bandaru Venkatesh of Kukatpally, who said he lost ₹13.7 lakh after following betting advice from Harsha, who allegedly masked gambling endorsements behind a facade of philanthropy.