National: ED Targets Google, Meta in Betting App Crackdown
The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has issued notices to tech giants Google and Meta, escalating its probe into illegal online betting apps. The companies are summoned for questioning on July 21, 2025, in Delhi.
Notices Issued to Tech Giants
The ED alleges that Google and Meta facilitated the promotion of betting apps through targeted advertisements, expanding their reach to users. This move marks a significant escalation in the agency’s investigation into financial irregularities.
Money Laundering Allegations
The investigation focuses on suspected money laundering and hawala transactions linked to betting platforms like VMoney, LotusBook, and 11Starss. The ED claims these apps generated illicit funds worth crores, often routed through complex channels.
Celebrity Involvement Under Scrutiny
The ED has named 29 individuals, including celebrities like Prakash Raj and Vijay Deverakonda, for allegedly endorsing these illegal platforms. The agency is probing their role in promoting apps under investigation for financial crimes.
Role of Digital Platforms
Authorities assert that Google and Meta provided prominent advertising slots, enabling unregulated betting apps to gain visibility. The ED is examining potential violations of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA).
Operational Details Uncovered
The probe revealed that individuals like Vishal Agnihotri acquired admin rights for platforms like LotusBook on profit-sharing arrangements. Hawala operators, such as Mayur Padya, allegedly facilitated cash-based fund transfers.
Recent ED Actions
Days before the notices, the ED conducted raids in Mumbai, seizing ₹3.3 crore in unaccounted cash, luxury items, and foreign currency. The agency is intensifying efforts to dismantle the betting app network.
Implications for Tech Giants
The summons signal a broader crackdown on digital platforms’ roles in enabling illicit activities. Google and Meta’s responses will likely shape the future of online advertising regulations in India.
Ongoing Investigation
The ED’s probe, initiated following a January 2025 FIR in Indore, continues to uncover intricate financial networks. Further developments are anticipated as the agency deepens its scrutiny of betting operations.