Hyderabad: Telangana CID has identified 25 celebrities and social media influencers who allegedly endorsed online betting platforms, with four of them yet to respond to police advisories against promoting such applications.
CID Director General Charu Sinha, IPS, on Monday, revealed the details while briefing the media on an ongoing investigation into an illegal betting network, which has put the spotlight on celebrity endorsements of betting platforms.
Celebrities must spread awareness about dangers of online gambling
She said that the police are seeking the cooperation of those involved in spreading awareness about the dangers of online betting.
Addressing reporters, Charu Sinha said 21 of the 25 identified celebrities have already submitted video messages discouraging the public from participating in online betting activities.
The remaining four are yet to submit their responses or commitments against promoting betting platforms.
Celebrities counselled by CID
The CID chief said celebrities and influencers who promoted betting applications were counselled against endorsing such platforms and urged to help create awareness about the financial and social consequences of online gambling.
"The message from the police is clear, people should not endorse betting applications," Sinha said.
She added that those who had promoted betting platforms in the past should assist in educating the public about the risks associated with online betting and gambling.
Police examining need to seize money earned from betting app ads
While declining to reveal the identities of the 25 celebrities and influencers, Sinha indicated that appropriate action could be considered if the remaining four individuals fail to cooperate with the ongoing exercise.
Asked whether money earned through betting app endorsements could be seized, the CID chief said the issue is under examination and that the investigation into such promotions is still at a preliminary stage.
Telangana banned online betting but influencers continue promotions
Sinha noted that online betting has been prohibited in Telangana for several years, but promotional campaigns involving celebrities and influencers have continued to attract users to such platforms.
She acknowledged that taking action against individuals associated with betting app endorsements is a complex issue because of the large number of personalities involved in such promotional activities.
414 cases registered, 108 apps blocked
Highlighting the scale of enforcement, the CID chief said Telangana Police have registered 414 cases related to illegal online betting across the state.
Authorities identified 108 online betting applications and submitted proposals to the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY), following which access to the platforms was blocked.
In addition, 37 betting applications have been geo-fenced in coordination with internet service providers, restricting their accessibility within Telangana.
Public asked to report betting activities via 1930
The CID has also circulated Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) to investigating officers handling online betting cases to ensure uniform investigation standards.
Appealing to citizens to assist law enforcement agencies, Sinha urged the public to report online betting activities to the nearest police station or through the National Cyber Crime Helpline 1930.