Rana Daggubati, Vijay Devarakonda, Prakash Raj among Telugu stars charged for pushing online betting | India News

Prakash Raj and Rana Daggubati

HYDERABAD: Some of Telugu movie business‘s prime actors had been charged Thursday with selling online betting apps, allegedly luring individuals into investing in them. Police filed an FIR towards Rana Daggubati, Vijay Devarakonda, Prakash Raj, Manchu Lakshmi, Pranitha, Nidhi Agarwal and Ananya Nagella, together with a lot of social media influencers, for their position in endorsing these apps.
In Telangana, online betting has been unlawful since 2017 below an amended regulation that goals to guard individuals from monetary hurt linked to playing. Cyberabad police commissioner Avinash Mohanty mentioned officers are probing how these apps function and the extent of the involvement of celebrities and influencers. ED can also be set to analyze the actors and influencers. The company will file enforcement case info stories (ECIRs) and summon these concerned below the cash laundering regulation (PMLA).
Cops acted on a criticism by PM Phanindra Sarma, who alleged that betting apps aggressively promote on social media, utilizing star endorsements to draw customers.
Rana Daggubati responded to the FIR, saying his contract with a gaming firm resulted in 2017. His endorsement was restricted to areas the place skill-based video games had been legally permitted, he mentioned.
In a press release, his authorized staff emphasised that each one partnerships bear cautious authorized assessment earlier than agreements are made. “It is essential to highlight these online games have been recognised by SC as distinct from gambling,” the assertion learn.
Two extra actors mentioned they ended their associations with betting apps way back. Prakash Raj posted on X, saying police had not contacted him however that he was “ready to cooperate”. He mentioned he labored with a agency in 2016 however withdrew in 2017 after realising its nature. When a brand new firm used the identical business in 2021, he issued authorized notices.
Actor Vijay’s staff mentioned he endorsed a skill-based gaming app solely in areas the place the app was legally permitted.