06 August,2025 06:39 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondent
Vijay Deverakonda
Actor Vijay Deverakonda recently appeared before the Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Wednesday morning in Hyderabad's Basheerbagh. The actor was summoned with regard to his connection with an ongoing investigation into the promotion of betting apps. His name reportedly surfaced in relation to a digital platform under scrutiny and for its links to online betting.
Following the investigation, Vijay addressed the media and shared what he told the ED officers during the investigation. The actor revealed, "I was summoned because my name came up in connection with a betting app case. In India, there are two different categories - betting apps and gaming apps. I clearly explained that I promoted a gaming app called A23. There is no connection between betting apps and gaming apps. Gaming apps are legal in several states. They are registered, have GST, taxes, and necessary approvals."
"I submitted all my bank transaction details to the ED. The A23 app I promoted is not even accessible in Telangana. I have only promoted a legal gaming app. I also shared the details of the agreement I had with the concerned company with the ED," he added.
Notably, on Wednesday morning, when Vijay reached the ED office, the Kingdom actor was mobbed by the media who wanted a comment from the actor. However, his team told them, "Sir cannot talk."
Notably, the central agency also questioned Prakash Raj on July 30 for five hours, during which he told the officials that he did not take any payment for an endorsement. The officials sought details about the advertisement he had done for a betting app back in 2016. Prakash Raj shared that he told the ED officials that he did not take any payment since his conscience did not allow him. Prajash Raj emphasised that he did only one advertisement for a gaming app; however, he later regretted it.
The ED also recently summoned actors Rana Daggubati and Manchu Lakshmi, along with Prakash Raj, Vijay Deverakonda in the case. Rana Daggubati was ordered to appear on July 23, but he sought an alternate date. He has been issued a fresh notice, directing him to appear on August 11. Meanwhile, Manchu Lakshmi has been directed to appear on August 13.
The four actors were among 29 celebrities booked by the ED on July 10 for allegedly endorsing illegal betting apps. The agency filed an ECIR against 29 actors, influencers, and YouTubers for allegedly promoting illegal betting platforms, in violation of the Public Gambling Act, 1867. The probe, under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act, is based on five FIRs filed in Telangana and Andhra Pradesh.
Film actors Vijay Deverakonda, Rana Daggubati, Prakash Raj, Nidhi Agarwal, Pranitha Subhash and Manchu Lakshmi, Ananya Nagella are among those who have been booked by the ED. Most of these celebrities were earlier booked by the Hyderabad and Cyberabad Police. FIRs were registered against them at Panjagutta, Miyapur, Cyberabad, Suryapet, and Visakhapatnam police stations.
In March this year, Vijay Deverakonda, Rana Daggubati, Prakash Raj and others were booked by Cyberabad police for allegedly promoting betting apps. Rana Daggubati and Vijay Devarakonda had stated that they endorsed only legally permitted online skill-based games.
(With inputs from IANS)
