Rana Daggubati's Team Defends Actor Amid Allegations Of Promoting Illegal Betting Apps

Rana Daggubati's team has issued a statement clarifying his involvement with a gaming platform, following allegations that he promoted illegal betting apps.

Rana Daggubati's team responds to allegations of endorsing illegal betting apps.

Source : Instagram/@ranadaggubati

New Delhi: Actor Rana Daggubati's team released a statement on Thursday in response to claims that the star endorses illicit betting apps. His team said that the actor is in "full compliance with the law." The explanation follows the filing of an FIR by Telangana police against 25 influencers and celebrities, including well-known individuals like Prakash Raj and Vijay Deverakonda, for allegedly endorsing unlawful gaming services.

The statement claims that Rana Daggubati was a brand ambassador for skill-based games until 2017 when his contract with the company ended. “This is to clarify that Rana Daggubati entered into a contract with a company to act as a brand ambassador for skill-based games, which expired in 2017. His endorsement was strictly limited to regions where online skill-based games were legally permitted,” the statement read.

The team stressed that before any partnerships are formed, Rana's legal counsel carefully examines them.

“This press note is being issued to address any misconceptions and to confirm that Rana Daggubati's endorsement of a legal and skill-based gaming platform was fully compliant with the law. It is essential to highlight that these online games have been recognized by the Supreme Court of India as distinct from gambling. The Court has ruled that these games are based on skill, not chance, and are therefore legally allowed,” the statement continued.

FIR Filed Against Multiple Celebrities

The 32-year-old businessman PM Phanindra Sarma submitted the complaint and the FIR at Hyderabad's Miyapur Police Station. According to Sarma, he found out that many people had been attracted to invest in these gambling applications, which were aggressively marketed by social media celebrities. The police are investigating under various sections of the Telangana Gaming Act and the IT Act, which address cheating and identity theft.