Telangana Police Investigate 25 Celebrities for Alleged Illegal Betting App Promotions

The FIR, filed after a businessman’s complaint, accuses actors and influencers of endorsing platforms that caused financial harm, with some claiming their promotions were legally compliant.

The Telangana police have registered an FIR against 25 celebrities, including Rana Daggubati, Vijay Deverakonda, and Prakash Raj, for allegedly promoting illegal betting apps.
The complaint, filed by businessman Phanindra Sarma, alleges that these endorsements led to financial distress, particularly among middle-class and lower-middle-class families.
Rana Daggubati and Vijay Deverakonda claim their endorsements were for skill-based games legally permitted in certain regions, while Prakash Raj admitted to a past endorsement but denied ongoing involvement.
The FIR cites violations under the Telangana Gaming Act of 2017, the Information Technology Act, and other relevant laws, with the investigation ongoing and potential involvement of additional agencies.
The Movie Artistes Association (MAA) is considering advising its members on ethical advertising practices in response to the controversy.