Indian Social Media influencers hit with criminal charges for promoting betting apps

Panjagutta police in India have registered criminal cases against 11 influencers, including actors and YouTubers, for allegedly promoting betting apps and platforms on their various social media platforms.

The accused are Imran Khan Jetx, Vishnu Priya, Harsha Sai, Shyamala, Tasty Teja, Rithu Chowdhary, Bandaru Sheshayani Supritha, Kiran Goud, Ajay, Sunny Target and Sudheer.

According to Hyderabad’s West Zone Police, the betting platforms specifically target young adults, making gambling easily accessible.

West Zone DCP Vijay Kumar said. “Based on a citizen’s complaint about betting apps, we have registered a case. We have filed criminal cases against 11 YouTubers and influencers. We are investigating their social media accounts and examining what videos they have posted. We will first collect evidence and then take action.

“These individuals are showing false hope to unemployed youth by claiming they can earn substantial money through betting apps. No one should illegally promote betting apps. A YouTuber named Imran Khan is making unethical, vulgar videos. He is even using young children in his videos. We have increased surveillance on people like Imran. We will take strict action against those who promote betting apps in ways that mislead youth,” Kumar concluded in a comment to the Deccan Herald.

A comment attributed to the complainant, Vinay Vangala, stated, “These platforms are in direct violation of the gambling laws and regulations, especially, the Public Gambling Act of 1867 (causing harm to individuals and society by encouraging addictive money-making behavior)”.

“These platforms are actively promoting their services through social media channels and unregulated advertising, which further exacerbates the problem. Thousands of crores of money is involved in the online betting apps,” said another police officer close to the case. The complaint urged the police to take swift action to investigate and shut down these illegal betting operations and to prevent further spread and use of such platforms, which could result in severe social and economic consequences for the public.

Betting and gambling are strictly prohibited under the Public Gambling Act, of 1867, and are considered illegal in the majority of regions across the country.

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