HYDERABAD: Andhra Pradesh police have intensified their crackdown on illegal online betting activities by registering cases against 19 betting app owners. Previously, authorities had issued notices and filed cases against celebrities and influencers who promoted these apps. Now, the focus has shifted to the app owners themselves, with the Miyapur police registering cases against operators of platforms such as Junglee Rummy, A23, Yolo 247, Fairplay, Jeetwin, V-Bet, Taj 77, VV Bet, Dhanibook 365, Mama247, Telugu365, S365, Jai365, JetX, Parimatch, Taj777book, and Andhra365.
This development follows earlier actions where cases were filed against 25 individuals, including film personalities and influencers, for promoting these betting apps. The police are now adding new sections to the cases to include the 19 app owners as defendants and plan to initiate thorough investigations into their operations.
The promotion of betting apps has caused a stir in both Telugu states, with authorities summoning various influencers, including anchors and YouTubers, for questioning. Notably, the involvement of prominent figures like actor Prakash Raj in promoting these apps has drawn significant attention. Critics have accused the authorities of targeting minor figures while overlooking major players in the industry.
The proliferation of these betting apps has led to severe consequences, with reports of young individuals incurring significant financial losses and some resorting to extreme measures such as suicide. By registering cases against the app promoters, the police aim to demonstrate their commitment to addressing this issue seriously. The recent action against the app operators underscores the government’s determination to eradicate the roots of illegal betting activities. There are indications that authorities plan to use celebrities as witnesses to facilitate the arrest of the app owners.