Following allegations that Vijay Deverakonda had promoted illegal betting apps encouraging users to invest money and end up in financial turmoil, the actor’s team has issued a clarification.
In a statement, they clarified that Vijay’s endorsement was solely for legal skill-based games, which are permitted in specific regions. The statement read: “His endorsement was strictly confined to regions and territories where online skill-based games are legally permitted.”
The actor’s team also referenced legal precedents to defend his actions, stating, “Honourable Supreme Court of India has repeatedly recognised online games such as rummy as distinct from gambling or gaming.
It has been mentioned explicitly that the A23 platform involves skill rather than chance, making it legally permissible.” This reference to the Supreme Court’s stance was intended to underline that the endorsement was within the legal framework.
However, a total of 25 celebrities, including well-known figures like Rana Daggubati, Prakash Raj, Manchu Lakshmi, Praneetha, and Nidhi Agarwal, alongside a number of influencers, have been booked by the police for allegedly promoting illegal betting apps.
The list of influencers involved includes names like Ananya, Sreemukhi, Siri Hanumanthu, Shyamala, Varshini, Shobha, Neha, Pandu, Padmavathi, Imran Khan, Vishnu Priya, Harsha Sai, Sunny Yadav, Tasty Teja, and Ritu.
The police have invoked multiple sections of law, including Sections 318(4), 112 r/w 49 BNS, 3, 3(A), 4 TSGA, and 66 D ITA-2000 in relation to the case.
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The complainant alleges that these celebrities and influencers have been intentionally promoting betting apps, leading to negative consequences, particularly for the youth. The complaint also claims that their actions have contributed to significant financial distress for many households, especially as young individuals are reportedly getting caught up in these online betting platforms, often leading to severe financial consequences.
This case has raised important questions about the responsibility of public figures in promoting products, especially those that can have harmful effects.
It has also sparked a broader conversation about the regulation of online platforms and the need for stricter oversight on celebrity endorsements.
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