Over the past month, the agency has issued summonses to actors and cricketers suspected of promoting the app, which has allegedly duped investors of crores of rupees and evaded significant tax liabilities under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA).
Former Member of Parliament and actress Mimi Chakraborty was first called in for questioning on September 15, followed by Bollywood star Urvashi Rautela who had earlier skipped her March 2024 summons on September 16. Neither appearance materialized, prompting the ED to deepen its scrutiny. Cricketer Robin Uthappa has been directed to appear at ED headquarters in Delhi on September 22 to record his statement about his promotional role. Ex-Indian cricket captain Yuvraj Singh is set to face the agency on September 23, while actor Sonu Sood will appear on September 24 to clarify his involvement.
This probe follows the questioning of several other celebrities: Suresh Raina was grilled on August 13 for allegedly facilitating money laundering through his endorsements; Rana Daggubati responded to summons on August 11 after initially missing a July notice; Lakshmi Manchu cooperated with investigators on August 13 regarding her association with a related digital platform; Prakash Raj voluntarily appeared on July 30, asserting moral reservations about accepting payment; and Vijay Deverakonda clarified on August 6 that he promoted a legal gaming app, not a betting site.
As the ED tightens its noose, industry insiders warn that more names could surface. The central agency’s focus on celebrity promoters underscores a growing trend: using star endorsements to circumvent regulations and expand illegal betting operations. With PMLA charges looming, affected celebrities risk severe legal consequences and reputational damage. Digital audiences following this saga should stay tuned for updates as the ED continues its crackdown on unlawful gaming advertisements and their high-profile backers.
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