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, 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 celebrities involvement in the alleged racket.
Published – March 20, 2025 12:09 pm IST