Famous Indian actor Prakash Raj has found himself in hot water due to suspicions of his involvement in the promotion of a number of illegal online gaming apps. The actor was summoned before the Enforcement Directorate (ED) for questioning.
The Actor Appears Before the ED
Raj, who is famous for starring in Telugu, Tamil, Kannada, Malayalam, English, and Hindi-language films, answered the summons, appearing at the ED office where he was questioned for four hours.
The questioning related to a money laundering case linked to illegal online gambling platforms, such as Junglee Rummy, JeetWin, and Lotus36. The case was sparked by a report filed in March. The report incriminated 25 public figures and social media personalities of alleged association with illegal platforms, resulting in an investigation into the matter.
According to the report, the 25 people in question received money for advertising the illegal operators in question. The complaint further alleged that the unlicensed companies employ predatory tactics and are particularly harmful to lower and middle-income families.
Raj Says He Received No Money for the Promotion
According to Hindustan Times, Raj acknowledged his prior association with the apps. He confirmed that he collaborated with the platforms in 2016 but insisted that he refused to be remunerated on moral grounds.
Raj furthermore said that he is no longer associated with the apps in any capacity.
Due to Raj’s past involvement in politics, he was asked by reporters whether it was possible that the questioning was politically motivated. The actor firmly denied this notion, saying:
Officers are doing their job. As a citizen, I am supposed to cooperate and answer their questions. There is no witch-hunting or political motivation in this.
Prakash Raj
According to Hindustan Times’ report, Raj has not been asked to reappear for further questioning.
India Seeks to Stop Illegal Gambling
In the meantime, India’s war on illegal gambling continues as the country seeks to shake off the negative effects of unauthorized platforms on society. A recent report claimed that the Indian government has blocked as many as 1,524 gambling websites between 2022 and 2025.
This figure was confirmed by India’s minister of state for electronics & IT, Jitin Prasada, who was responding to questions about the effectiveness of the local regulatory framework.