06 August,2025 01:04 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondent
Vijay Deverakonda (Pic/ ANI)
On Wednesday morning, actor Vijay Deverakonda appeared before the Enforcement Directorate (ED) at its Basheerbagh office in Hyderabad after receiving a summons related to allegedly promoting online betting games. He was called in a few days after actor and politician Prakash Raj was called in for the same case.
On Wednesday, Vijay Deverakonda was seen arriving at the ED office in a casual blue t-shirt and denim pants. The media surrounded him upon his arrival to the office to register his statement. The Kingdom actor did not comment on the matter.
Addressing media personnel after coming out of the ED office, the actor said, "This was a case of money laundering of betting apps, and it was something I did in 2016. On moral grounds, I did not pursue it, and I gave them information that I did not receive any money because I did not want to make money from that. They have taken all the details and have finished the enquiry... Officers are doing their job, and as a citizen, I am supposed to cooperate and answer their questions. There is no witch-hunting or political motivation in this..."
Earlier this year, the Telangana police filed a First Information Report against 25 celebrities and influencers, including popular figures like Rana Daggubati and Manchu Lakshmi, for allegedly promoting illegal betting and gambling apps through their social media platforms. Prakash Raj and Vijay's names also popped up.
The FIR was filed at the Miyapur Police Station in Hyderabad following a petition by 32-year-old businessman PM Phanindra Sarma.
The complaint, lodged on March 19 this year, highlights a disturbing trend of celebrities and influencers promoting illegal gambling apps that violate the Public Gambling Act of 1867. Sarma claims that during a conversation with youth in his community on March 16, he discovered many individuals had been influenced to invest their money in these gambling apps, which were heavily advertised by social media personalities.
According to the complaint, these celebrities are allegedly accepting large sums of money to promote various betting platforms, which encourage users to gamble their hard-earned money.
The actor returned to the big screen after over a year with the film Kingdom. The film opened to largely positive reviews and has been directed by Gowtam Tinnanuri of Jersey fame.
