Prakash Raj Addresses Betting App Controversy: 'I Thought It Was Not Right And I Couldn’t Do Anything...'
Actor Prakash Raj has responded to allegations of promoting illegal betting and gambling apps after being named in an FIR filed by the Cyberabad police.
Actor Prakash Raj has responded to allegations of promoting illegal betting and gambling apps after being named in an FIR filed by the Cyberabad police. The case, filed on Wednesday, names approximately 25 individuals, including Rana Daggubati, Prakash Raj, Vijay Deverakonda, Manchu Lakshmi, Praneetha, and Nidhi Agarwal, for promoting online betting platforms.
Prakash Raj responds to the allegations
In a video shared on his Instagram, Prakash Raj clarified his stance, admitting that he had done an advertisement for a gaming app nearly nine years ago but later refused to renew his contract upon realizing the ethical concerns associated with promoting such platforms.
“I have not received any summons or official notice from the police yet. But if I do, I will definitely respond. It is my responsibility to do so,” the actor-politician stated in the nearly two-minute-long video.
Sharing details about his past association with the betting app, he explained, “In June 2016, Junglee Rummy people had approached me for a gaming app ad and I did do it. But, within few months, I thought it was not right and I couldn’t do anything because I had signed a year’s contract with them.”
He added that when the contract ended, he chose not to continue. “I said, ‘No. My conscious doesn’t accept. I don’t want to continue.’ This happened around 9 years ago. Since then, I have not done any ads which promote online gambling.”
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The actor further revealed that in 2021, snippets from his old advertisement resurfaced on social media after the app was reportedly sold to a different party. “In 2021, I guess they sold this app to someone else, who used a couple of snippets of me on social media. We did send them a notice and an email. I said, ‘Look, I am not a part of it. I have said no. I told them they couldn’t illegally use my snippets as the contract has been expired.’ After which, they stopped it,” he clarified.
Prakash Raj concluded his statement with a message for young people, warning them about the dangers of gambling. “I urge all youngsters not to fall prey to betting apps as they can ruin lives. Say no to gambling,” he said.
FIR against many celebs
The Cyberabad police have registered a case against several actors, including Rana Daggubati, Vijay Deverakonda, Manchu Lakshmi, Pranitha Subhash, and Nidhi Agerwal, for allegedly promoting various online gambling platforms.
Rana Daggubati and Prakash Raj are accused of endorsing Junglee Rummy through pop-up ads, while Vijay Deverakonda is linked to A23 Rummy. Lakshmi Manchu allegedly promoted Yolo247, whereas Pranitha Subhash and Nidhi Agerwal reportedly promoted Fairplay Live and Jeet Win, respectively.
The police invoked multiple sections under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, Telangana State Gaming Act, and the Information Technology Act.
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