celebrity endorsements – Bharat Pulse News

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has booked 29 prominent personalities including actors, television anchors, and digital influencers under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) for allegedly promoting and endorsing illegal online betting applications across Telangana and Andhra Pradesh. ED Betting The probe stems from multiple police FIRs registered in both Telugu-speaking states, which named several apps such as Junglee Rummy, A23, JeetWin, Parimatch, and Lotus365 as platforms being promoted despite their involvement in unauthorized betting operations. The ED has now formalized its investigation through an Enforcement Case Information Report (ECIR), citing financial trails and suspected laundering of betting-related funds. Celebrity Endorsements Those under the scanner include major film stars like Vijay Deverakonda, Rana Daggubati, Prakash Raj, Manchu Lakshmi, Nidhi Agarwal, Pranitha Subhash, and Ananya Nagalla. Television host Sreemukhi and several well-known YouTubers and social media influencers, including Harsha Sai, Bayya Sunny Yadav, and the team behind Local Boi Nani, have also been named. The ED is examining whether these public figures knowingly accepted large endorsement payments from companies operating illegal betting apps. Investigators are reviewing financial records, contracts, and digital promotion materials to assess the scale and intent of involvement. Money Laundering Probe The central agency suspects that a portion of the promotional revenue may have been laundered through multiple layers of financial transactions, raising concerns about violation of anti-money laundering norms. The celebrities will likely be summoned for questioning in the coming weeks to record their statements. Public Fallout The crackdown follows several tragic incidents linked to betting addiction, including suicides and financial ruin, allegedly triggered by exposure to these platforms. Police complaints from families of affected individuals point to influencer endorsements as a key driver behind user engagement. The ED’s move marks one of the most high-profile crackdowns yet on influencer accountability in India’s digital economy, especially in the context of gambling and financial fraud. It signals a growing effort by enforcement agencies to hold celebrities and online figures responsible for the real-world consequences of the brands they promote.

29 Celebrities Booked by ED for Promoting Illegal Betting Apps

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