ED Summons Google and Meta Over Alleged Promotion of Illegal Betting Apps in India
ED summons Google and Meta over ads promoting illegal betting apps in India, probing possible PMLA violations. Raids seized ₹3.3 crore cash and luxury assets.
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India’s Enforcement Directorate (ED) has summoned tech giants Google and Meta over their alleged role in promoting illegal betting platforms through digital advertisements. The probe falls under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) and comes amid a wider crackdown on online betting networks operating in the country.
Why Are Google and Meta Under Scrutiny?
According to an ANI report, the ED suspects that both companies allowed betting platforms to run paid advertisements on their digital platforms, helping them reach Indian users. This could constitute a violation of the PMLA, which prohibits facilitating money laundering or aiding unregulated financial activity.
Officials believe that the ad ecosystems of Google and Meta were used to attract customers and possibly transfer illicit funds. The ED now plans to question company representatives on July 21, specifically about the approval, targeting, and monetisation of such ads.
What Triggered the ED Probe?
The summons were issued shortly after ED officials conducted raids at four locations in Mumbai, where they seized:
- ₹3.3 crore in unaccounted cash
- Foreign currency
- Luxury vehicles
- Gold and jewellery
- Cash-counting machines
These raids were linked to an ongoing investigation into illegal betting operations involving companies like VMoney, VM Trading, Standard Trades Ltd, IBull Capital Ltd, LotusBook, 11Starss, and GameBetLeague.
The investigation originated from an FIR lodged at the Lasudiya Police Station in Indore (Madhya Pradesh) and is being pursued under the PMLA and relevant sections of the Bhartiya Nyaya Sanhita (Sections 319(2) and 318(4)).
What's Next in the Investigation?
The ED is now delving deeper into the financial transactions and digital ad trails, exploring the potential role of hawala operators and third-party fund handlers. The involvement of major digital ad platforms has reignited debates around tech accountability and the need for stricter oversight of online advertising in India.
As the case unfolds, Google and Meta may face regulatory scrutiny not just for compliance failures, but also for their policies around ad vetting and platform misuse.
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