A police case has been filed against 25 celebrities, including Rana Daggubati, Prakash Raj, and Vijay Devarakonda, for endorsing illegal betting apps in Telangana. Authorities warn of strict action against those found guilty.
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Telangana: A police case has been filed against 25 famous celebrities in Telangana for promoting illegal betting apps. Some well-known actors, including Rana Daggubati, Prakash Raj, Vijay Devarakonda, and Manchu Lakshmi, are among those named in the FIR.
The complaint was filed by a businessman named Phanindra Sarma, after which the police registered the case.
Apart from these big stars, several other actors, social media influencers, and TV personalities have also been mentioned in the FIR.
These include Praneetha, Nidhi Agarwal, Ananya Nagalla, Siri Hanumanthu, Sreemukhi, Varshini Sounderajan, Vasanthi Krishnan, Shoba Shetty, Amrutha Chowdary, Nayani Pavani, Neha Pathan, Pandu, Padhmavathi, Imran Khan, Vishnu Priya, Harsha Sai, Sunny Yadav, Shyamala, Tasty Teja, and Bandaru Sheshayani Supritha.
This case has created a lot of buzz as many of these celebrities have a massive fan following.
“People trust celebrities, and when they promote something, fans believe it to be genuine,”
-said an expert on digital marketing.
“This is why endorsing illegal apps can mislead many people.”
In recent times, online betting apps have gained a lot of popularity, especially among youngsters. These apps promise big winnings but often lead to heavy financial losses.
“The government has strict rules against online betting, and promoting such apps is a punishable offense,”
-a legal expert explained.
Social media influencers and actors use their platforms to endorse various brands, but promoting illegal activities can land them in trouble.
“Celebrities have a responsibility towards their followers. They should be careful about what they promote,”
-said a cybercrime officer.
The Telangana Police are now investigating the involvement of these celebrities and influencers in the case. They are also looking into the agreements these stars had with the betting app companies.
“If found guilty, strict action will be taken,”
-said a senior police official.
Meanwhile, fans of the accused celebrities are shocked by the case. Many have taken to social media to express their opinions. Some believe that celebrities should be more responsible, while others feel that they may not have been aware of the legal issues related to these apps.
“Many stars sign endorsement deals without fully understanding the consequences,”
-said a Bollywood analyst.
Authorities are urging people to stay away from betting apps and report any illegal activities.
“Online scams are increasing, and people should be aware of the risks before investing their money,”
-warned a cybersecurity expert.
The case has also raised concerns about digital advertising and the responsibility of influencers.
“Regulations need to be stronger to ensure that celebrities and influencers do not promote harmful products,”
-said a consumer rights activist.
With the investigation still ongoing, it remains to be seen what action will be taken against these celebrities. Meanwhile, legal experts advise that anyone involved in endorsements should thoroughly check the legitimacy of the products or services they promote to avoid legal trouble.
Laws Against Betting Apps in India
Betting and gambling laws in India are complex because they are regulated both at the central and state levels. While physical gambling is restricted under various laws, online betting apps exist in a grey area.
However, many states, including Telangana, have imposed strict bans on online betting.
Below are some key laws that regulate and prohibit betting apps in India:
1. The Public Gambling Act, 1867
- This is a central law that prohibits running or being in charge of a public gambling house.
- Since the law was enacted before the internet era, it does not specifically mention online betting, but it has been interpreted to apply to online gambling as well.
- Punishment includes a fine of Rs 200 or imprisonment of up to three months.
2. Information Technology Act, 2000
- This act governs cyber activities in India, including online gambling and betting apps.
- Though it does not directly prohibit online betting, the government has the power to block access to illegal betting websites and apps under Section 69A.
- Many betting apps have been banned under this act for violating the law.
3. Telangana Gaming Act, 1974 (Amended in 2017 & 2022)
- Telangana has some of the strictest laws against gambling and betting, including online betting apps.
- The amendment in 2017 made all forms of online gambling illegal, including betting apps.
- Offenders can face jail time and heavy fines for promoting, playing, or organizing betting.
- Many celebrities and influencers promoting betting apps have been booked under this law.
4. The Prize Competition Act, 1955
- This law regulates prize competitions that involve a large amount of chance and luck, which applies to many online betting games.
- If a betting app operates in a way that violates this law, it can be banned.
5. Consumer Protection Act, 2019
- This act protects consumers from misleading advertisements.
- Celebrities and influencers promoting illegal betting apps can be held accountable under Section 21, which deals with misleading endorsements.
- If found guilty, the celebrity can be fined up to Rs 10 lakh for a first-time offense and up to Rs 50 lakh for repeat violations.
6. Indian Penal Code (IPC), 1860
- Section 420 (Cheating and Fraud): Betting apps that mislead users and cause financial loss can be booked under this law.
- Section 120B (Criminal Conspiracy): If multiple people are involved in promoting or running an illegal betting app, they can be charged under this section.
- Section 406 (Criminal Breach of Trust): If an app collects money from users and does not return it, the operators can be charged under this section.
7. Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), 2002
- Betting apps often involve huge financial transactions, which can be linked to money laundering.
- The Enforcement Directorate (ED) can investigate betting apps under this act.
- Money earned from betting apps, if found illegal, can be seized.
ALSO READ: Actor Sahil Khan Sent to Police Custody in Rs. 15,000 Crore ‘Mahadev Betting App Scandal’
State-Specific Bans on Betting Apps
- Many Indian states have completely banned online betting, including Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, and Karnataka.
- Maharashtra allows certain types of offline gambling but restricts online betting.
- In contrast, Goa, Sikkim, and Nagaland have more relaxed gambling laws and allow some forms of online gaming with licenses.
Recent Crackdowns on Betting Apps
- The Indian government has banned several Chinese betting apps under security and financial fraud concerns.
- In 2023, the Ministry of Electronics and IT (MeitY) ordered internet service providers to block illegal betting apps and websites.
- The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has also warned against international betting platforms operating without a valid financial license in India.
Consequences for Promoting or Using Betting Apps
- Legal Action – Those promoting or using illegal betting apps can face FIRs, court cases, and criminal charges.
- Fines and Imprisonment – Celebrities and influencers endorsing betting apps can be fined up to Rs 50 lakh or face jail time under the Consumer Protection Act and Telangana Gaming Act.
- Bank Account Freeze – The ED and RBI can freeze accounts linked to illegal betting transactions.
- Blocking of Apps and Websites – Government agencies have the power to ban betting apps permanently.
Conclusion
Online betting is mostly illegal in India, with very few exceptions in states like Goa and Sikkim.
Telangana has one of the strictest laws against online betting, and celebrities promoting such apps can face serious legal trouble.
With the government taking strict action, people are advised not to use or promote betting apps to avoid financial and legal risks.
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