India ED summons Google, Meta in money laundering betting probe

India's Enforcement Directorate (ED) has summoned representatives from tech giants Google and Meta for questioning on July 21 as part of an ongoing money laundering investigation related to illegal online betting platforms. The ED is probing how these platforms, often operating through unregulated apps and websites, have managed to place advertisements on social media platforms and app stores operated by these companies, thereby facilitating widespread promotion of illicit betting activities. The investigation focuses on the role of digital platforms in enabling such advertisements and the monetization mechanisms behind them. Additionally, the ED is examining the involvement of celebrities, sports personalities, and influencers who may have promoted these betting apps, with 29 celebrities already booked for endorsing such platforms in violation of the Public Gambling Act. The illegal betting platforms are accused of defrauding users, laundering crores of rupees, evading taxes, and generating illicit funds often routed through hawala channels. The probe is based on multiple FIRs filed in Telangana and Andhra Pradesh and includes scrutiny of platforms like Junglee Rummy, A23, JeetWin, Parimatch, and Lotus365.