The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has summoned several prominent film personalities, including Rana Daggubati, Vijay Deverakonda and Lakshmi Manchu, in connection with the promotion of illegal online betting applications. The summons are part of an ongoing investigation into a massive scam involving unregulated betting platforms that were allegedly endorsed by celebrities on social media.
According to reports, the ED’s probe has uncovered financial transactions worth thousands of crores routed through these apps, which have been declared illegal in India. Several celebrities are believed to have received substantial payments for promoting the platforms, sparking concerns over their role in influencing the public, especially vulnerable middle- and lower-middle-class families.
The case began after Miyapur-based businessman Phanindra Sharma lodged a complaint, accusing well-known film and social media personalities of encouraging users to participate in illegal betting. The issue gained traction in March 2025, prompting the Cyberabad Police to file an FIR on March 19 against 25 celebrities. The ED subsequently registered an ECIR (Enforcement Case Information Report) under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), initiating a full-scale investigation.
The ED has scheduled the questioning of the celebrities in a phased manner. Actor Rana Daggubati has been summoned for interrogation on July 23, followed by veteran actor Prakash Raj on July 30. Vijay Deverakonda is expected to appear before the agency on August 6, while actress and television personality Lakshmi has been called in on August 13.
This case bears similarities to last year’s Mahadev betting app controversy, in which several names from Bollywood, Tollywood, and the television industry were implicated. That investigation also led to significant enforcement action. Officials believe the full extent of the current scam will become clearer following the interrogation of the stars involved.
Amid the legal developments, Vijay Deverakonda is set to appear next in the film Kingdom. Rana Daggubati, who was last seen in the Netflix crime drama Rana Naidu alongside Venkatesh Daggubati and Surveen Chawla, will soon be seen in Mallidi Vasishta’s upcoming fantasy-action film Vishwambara.
