In what could be one of the biggest crackdowns on celebrity-endorsed online scams, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) has filed an Enforcement Case Information Report (ECIR) against 29 prominent actors and social media personalities for allegedly promoting illegal online betting networks. The move has sent shockwaves through the entertainment industry, with several big names now under the agency’s radar.
According to reports, actors Vijay Deverakonda, Rana Daggubati, Prakash Raj, Nidhhi Agerwal, Pranitha Subhash, and Manchu Lakshmi are among those named in the ECIR. Two television hosts have also been implicated in the case.
The investigation extends beyond the film and TV industries to the digital creator economy. Influencers like Harsha Sai and the creators behind the popular YouTube channel ‘Local Boi Nani’ are being investigated by ED officials. Investigators suspect that large sums of money were routed through these endorsement campaigns, which may be linked to money laundering.
Celebrities react to ECIR
Vijay Deverakonda defended his association with A23, asserting that he was only a brand ambassador for a skill-based gaming platform. His team cited the Supreme Court’s recognition of rummy as a game of skill, distancing it from chance-based gambling. Rana Daggubati also issued a statement through his legal team, clarifying that his association with a skill-based gaming app ended back in 2017. He stressed that all endorsements were limited to regions where such platforms were permitted by law and underwent legal vetting.
Meanwhile, actor Prakash Raj acknowledged that he had endorsed Junglee Rummy in 2016 but ended the contract within a year. He said while the endorsement was technically legal, it did not sit right with him ethically, and he has not promoted any gambling-linked platform since.
According to reports, actors Vijay Deverakonda, Rana Daggubati, Prakash Raj, Nidhhi Agerwal, Pranitha Subhash, and Manchu Lakshmi are among those named in the ECIR. Two television hosts have also been implicated in the case.
The investigation extends beyond the film and TV industries to the digital creator economy. Influencers like Harsha Sai and the creators behind the popular YouTube channel ‘Local Boi Nani’ are being investigated by ED officials. Investigators suspect that large sums of money were routed through these endorsement campaigns, which may be linked to money laundering.
Celebrities react to ECIR
Vijay Deverakonda defended his association with A23, asserting that he was only a brand ambassador for a skill-based gaming platform. His team cited the Supreme Court’s recognition of rummy as a game of skill, distancing it from chance-based gambling. Rana Daggubati also issued a statement through his legal team, clarifying that his association with a skill-based gaming app ended back in 2017. He stressed that all endorsements were limited to regions where such platforms were permitted by law and underwent legal vetting.
Meanwhile, actor Prakash Raj acknowledged that he had endorsed Junglee Rummy in 2016 but ended the contract within a year. He said while the endorsement was technically legal, it did not sit right with him ethically, and he has not promoted any gambling-linked platform since.
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