Google and Meta officials given fresh summons in case linked to promotion of 'illegal' online betting and gambling platforms

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has issued fresh summons to executives of Google and

Meta

after they failed to appear before the agency today, July 21. According to news agency PTI, the tech companies were asked to appear before ED in connection with a

money laundering

investigation linked to advertisements promoting illegal betting and gambling platforms. Executives of both the companies have now been asked to appear before the probe agency on July 28.The executives, as per the report, sought more time, citing the need to gather relevant documents and information before they present themselves for questioning and recording of their statements. Quoting an unnamed source, the report said that once they depose, their statements will be recorded under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA).

Why ED summoned Meta, Google

The PTI report says that ED is investigating multiple platforms hosting illegal betting and gambling links, and how these companies are able to advertise on various digital and social media platforms. The tech companies were called to explain the mechanisms that allowed such promotions.

The ED is also expected to question several celebrities and sportspersons in connection with the same probe. Earlier this month, actors Prakash Raj, Vijay Deverakonda, and Rana Daggubati and 26 other celebrities were charged by ED for endorsing betting apps. They have been accused of violating the Public Gambling Act, 1867, by promoting such gambling apps.According to the agency, the platforms under investigation were involved in cheating users and laundering money, with large-scale tax evasion also suspected. The ED is currently handling more than a dozen cases linked to illegal betting apps, including the Mahadev Online Book, which is believed to be run by individuals from Chhattisgarh.