Telangana Police Investigate 25 Celebrities for Promoting Illegal Betting Apps

An FIR has been filed against prominent actors and influencers, with allegations of financial harm to vulnerable families and disputed claims of legal compliance.

The Telangana police have filed an FIR against 25 celebrities, including Rana Daggubati, Prakash Raj, and Vijay Deverakonda, for allegedly endorsing illegal betting platforms.
The complaint, lodged by businessman Phanindra Sarma, accuses the celebrities of accepting large sums of money to promote apps that caused financial distress, particularly to middle-class and lower middle-class families.
Charges have been brought under the TS Gaming Act, IT Act, and sections related to cheating, with authorities planning to involve other agencies to trace the organizers behind the betting operations.
Rana Daggubati's team issued a statement disputing the allegations, claiming his endorsements were for skill-based games and compliant with legal standards.
The case highlights broader concerns about the ethical responsibilities of celebrity endorsements and the regulatory challenges of distinguishing skill-based gaming from gambling.