Hyderabad: Actor Vijay Deverakonda denied promoting any betting app after appearing before the Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Wednesday. He clarified that his association was only with A23, a legal gaming platform, and not with any betting or illegal app.
The ED had summoned the actor as part of a wider probe into celebrity endorsements of gaming and betting platforms. Deverakonda submitted his bank statements, legal agreements, and payment details related to his contract with A23.
Vijay Deverakonda betting app denial follows ED questioning over A23 promotion
Speaking to the media, Deverakonda said A23 is legal in many Indian states and operates under proper GST, licensing, and registration rules. He added that A23 does not function in Telangana and that he has always promoted only legal apps. “There’s a clear difference between gaming and betting apps,” he told reporters.
The ED case is part of an investigation into promotional payments made to celebrities endorsing platforms like JeetWin, Lotus 365, Parimatch, and Junglee Rummy. Over 29 celebrities and influencers, including Rana Daggubati, Manchu Lakshmi, and Prakash Raj, are under scrutiny.
Authorities have recovered financial documents showing large deposits from app companies into celebrity accounts. Based on this, the ED registered a money laundering case.
