Rana Daggubati, Vijay Devarakonda, Prakash Raj among 25 others, booked by Cyberabad police for promoting betting and gambling apps.
A total of 25 celebrities and social media influencers were booked by the Miyapur police of Cyberabad for allegedly promoting illegal betting and gambling apps, leading to financial distress among the public.
As per the FIR, a copy of which was seen by The Hindu, actors Rana Daggubati, Prakash Raj, Vijay Devarakonda, Manchu Lakshmi, Praneetha and Nidhi Agarwal, were among those named for endorsing these platforms through pop-up ads and social media posts. Influencers, including Harsha Sai, Bayya Sunny Yadav, and Tastyteja, were also named for promoting multiple gambling platforms directly through promotional videos and ads.
The celebrities and social media influencers against whom cases were registered by Miyapur police for promoting betting and gambling apps.
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By Arrangement
The case was booked following a complaint by P.M. Phanindra Sarma, a 32-year-old businessman from Miyapur, who claimed that several celebrities and influencers were encouraging people to invest in gambling platforms through social media promotions and pop-up ads.
Mr. Sarma stated that he became aware of the issue on March 16, 2025, while interacting with youth in his colony. He learned that many had lost their hard-earned money on betting and gambling apps endorsed by popular figures. Mr. Sarma himself was on the verge of investing in one such platform but refrained after a warning from his family.
The case was registered under sections 318(4) and 112 read with 49 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), sections 3, 3(A), and 4 of the Telangana Gaming Act, and Section 66(D) of the Information Technology Act. The police have launched an investigation into the financial networks behind these platforms and are examining the extent of involvement of the celebrities in the alleged racket.
Actors react to the allegations
Following the case, Vijay Deverakonda’s team issued a statement clarifying his association with a skill-based gaming platform. The statement confirmed that Deverakonda had signed a contract as a brand ambassador for A23, a legally recognised skill-based gaming platform.
“This endorsement was strictly confined to regions and territories where online skill-based games are legally permitted. After a thorough legal review, he had agreed to endorse the skill-based gaming platform A23, ensuring that his association aligned with the law standards. However, his endorsement term ended in 2023, and he is no longer associated with the brand,” the statement read.
In another statement, from Rana Daggubati’s team stated that he entered into a contract with a company to act as a brand ambassador for skill-based games, which expired in 2017.
Later in the day, Prakash Raj took to his X (formerly Twitter) account and reacted to the allegations in a video message.
“It was in 2016, I did an ad for a betting app. Within a few months, I thought it was not right. It was a one-year contract and when they wanted to renew it, I said no. Since then, I have not done any such ad,” Prakash Raj said in the video.
Published – March 20, 2025 12:09 pm IST
