ED notice to Google and Meta, summoned for questioning in online betting app case

New Delhi: The Enforcement Directorate has issued notices to Google and Meta in connection with the investigation of cases related to online betting apps. The agency alleges that both these companies promoted betting apps and gave prominence to their advertisements and websites on their digital platforms.

Summoned for questioning on July 21
According to sources, Google and Meta are accused of promoting these betting apps and prominently placing an advertisement and websites of online betting on their platforms. Now ED has summoned representatives of both the companies for questioning on July 21.

ED in action against betting
This is the first time in this entire case that a big tech company operating in India is being held directly accountable in cases like betting. This action of ED is part of a comprehensive campaign against online betting, in which the role of many big names and digital platforms is being investigated.

This move of ED shows that the investigation is now being done on a larger scale. Even before this, many film stars and social media influencers have come under investigation for promoting illegal betting apps.

Betting business going on in the name of ‘skill based game’
Let us tell you that ED is closely investigating a large network of online betting apps. Many of these apps are actually involved in illegal betting by calling themselves ‘skill based game’. It is believed that black money worth crores of rupees has been earned through these platforms, which was sent here and there through complex hawala channels to avoid detection.

Case registered against many celebrities
Last week, the Enforcement Directorate registered a case against 29 people, including famous actors, TV hosts and social media influencers. They are accused of promoting illegal betting apps. The celebrities whose names are registered in the ED’s Enforcement Case Information Report include big names like Prakash Raj, Rana Daggubati and Vijay Deverakonda. It is alleged that these people were given huge amounts of money in exchange for promoting these apps.