Rana Daggubati Appears Before ED in Illegal Betting Apps Probe

Tollywood actor Rana Daggubati appeared before the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in Hyderabad on August 12 as part of an ongoing investigation into celebrities allegedly promoting illegal betting apps. The case revolves around violations of the Public Gambling Act, 1867, with allegations that these platforms operated under the guise of gaming apps but enabled unlawful betting.

Rana, known for his role in Baahubali, was the third high-profile name summoned, following actor Vijay Deverakonda and veteran Prakash Raj. Initially scheduled for July 23, his appearance was postponed due to filming commitments. Other celebrities, including Manchu Lakshmi, are also on the ED’s list, with her questioning set for August 13.

During earlier interrogations, Vijay Deverakonda defended his association with a gaming app, claiming it was a licensed and legal platform, and provided contract and payment details to support his claim. Prakash Raj, on the other hand, told officials he had not been paid for a 2016 endorsement and had later distanced himself from such promotions.

The ED is now scrutinising whether celebrity endorsements knowingly or unknowingly boosted platforms that breached Indian gambling laws. Rana has not commented publicly on his questioning. On the professional front, he was last seen in Netflix’s crime drama series Rana Naidu. The case continues to draw attention for its mix of legal, ethical, and celebrity angles.