India Summons Google and Meta in Expanding Crackdown on Illegal Betting Apps

India Summons Google and Meta in Expanding Crackdown on Illegal Betting Apps

New Delhi: The Indian Enforcement Directorate (ED) has summoned senior executives from tech giants Google and Meta in connection with a widening investigation into illegal online betting applications. The summons, scheduled for July 21, 2025, follows a series of raids and seizures linked to apps accused of money laundering and illicit fund transfers under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA).

According to the ED, companies including Google and Meta allegedly facilitated the proliferation of illegal betting platforms such as VMoney, 11Starss, LotusBook, GameBetLeague, IBull Capital, Standard Trades, and VM Trading by enabling advertising and providing algorithmic visibility. These platforms, authorities claim, used digital promotion to expand their user base and launder proceeds through a network of agents and unregulated transactions.

In a recent operation, the ED conducted searches across 19 locations in Mumbai, seizing assets worth over ₹3.3 crore, including foreign currency, luxury watches, high-end vehicles, jewellery, and cash-counting machines. Authorities say the financial network supporting these apps involves hawala operators managing unaccounted cash and profit-sharing arrangements among app controllers.

Investigators have revealed that Vishal Agnihotri, one of the key figures behind the VMoney and 11Starss apps, initially retained 5 percent of platform profits. This stake was later redistributed, with Dhaval Devraj Jain holding 4.875 percent and Agnihotri keeping a residual share. Mayur Padya, another individual under investigation, is suspected of acting as a hawala agent in these transactions.

The summons to Google and Meta is aimed at questioning the platforms' role in promoting these apps and whether they profited from advertising revenue linked to the betting services. Officials are expected to inquire into how the platforms approved advertisements and whether due diligence protocols were followed.

This case comes amid a broader push by Indian authorities to regulate the digital ecosystem, particularly concerning illegal gaming, unregulated financial flows, and tech platform accountability. The outcome of this investigation may lead to stricter guidelines on ad placements, algorithmic responsibility, and compliance by digital intermediaries operating in India.

The ED’s move signals a shift in enforcement strategy, now targeting not only those who run illegal services but also the digital platforms that may have enabled their reach.


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