Hyderabad: Telangana Chief Minister Revanth Reddy has announced that his government will form a special investigation team (SIT) to probe and eradicate the menace of online betting apps, which he said has become an “organised international crime”.
The move comes days after several renowned Tollywood actors like Rana Daggubati, Vijay Devarakonda and Prakash Raj were booked for promoting betting apps.
Earlier, several social media influencers, YouTubers from Andhra Pradesh and Telangana including Imran Khan, Bayya Sunny Yadav, Harsha Sai, Shyamala, Tasty Teja were also booked by the Hyderabad police for promoting betting apps on their respective platforms.
The police action came in the wake of online betting app fraud causing massive financial losses and stress to several individuals, even forcing some people to take their own lives. In the latest instance, a 29-year-old man called Someshwara Rao ended his life on the railway tracks near Medchal station Tuesday, reportedly upset over losing Rs 2 lakh in online cricket bets.
Speaking in the Telangana assembly Wednesday, CM Reddy said the previous Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) government brought in a law prohibiting online betting, but “there was some neglect in effectual implementation”.
The CM was referring to the Telangana Gaming (Amendment) Act, 2017.
“Lately, in Telangana, the online betting practice has spread alarmingly fast. This has become an organised international crime, with participation of offenders, such organizations of different countries. The menace cannot be dealt with at a police station level,” Reddy told the House.
He added: “We have decided to be stern to tackle the crime. So, we are forming an SIT, either with CB CID or in other manner after consulting with officials.”
The CM also stated that his government plans to bring in amendments, in the next assembly session, to toughen laws against online betting. “There is a need to enhance the punishment to deter people—developers, promoters, and even users from getting involved in such activities. The SIT we are forming now will go after all such people associated directly and indirectly. We will spare no one. We will be stern with cybercrimes in Telangana.”
Last week, the Cyberabad police too, after receiving a complaint about illegal betting apps and casino applications, registered a case against those managing such apps, along with celebrities and social media influencers who promoted them on their social media platforms.
The case was booked under various provisions of the Gaming Act, the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and the IT Act.
Police officers said these apps target young adults, enticing them with easy money offers and eventually leading them to complete financial and psychological breakdown.
After the police crackdown and cases, several social media influences took to their platforms regretting their promotions of the apps.
Noted actor Prakash Raj, who has been booked in connection with promoting such apps, issued a statement on X claiming he has disassociated himself from the same.
“I ask questions to everybody so I need to answer too. So, this is my answer. I have not received any summons or anything from the police station. But whenever I do, I will definitely reply to it. It is my responsibility to reply. In June 2016, Junglee Rummy people had approached me for a gaming app ad and I did do it. But, within a few months, I thought it was not right and I couldn’t do anything because I had signed a year’s contract with them.”
My response 🙏🏿🙏🏿🙏🏿 #SayNoToBettingAps #justasking pic.twitter.com/TErKkUb6ls
— Prakash Raj (@prakashraaj) March 20, 2025
Prakash Raj’s X post this time came with #SayNoToBettingApps, a hashtag promoted by Telangana IPS officer and TGSRTC managing director VC Sajjanar, who has been actively engaged in a social media campaign to spread awareness about the perils of online betting.
(Edited by Gitanjali Das)
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