Executives from Google appeared before India's Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Monday, July 28, 2025, as part of a money laundering investigation related to the promotion of illegal online betting and gambling platforms. The ED is investigating how these platforms advertise on digital and social media. Meta, which owns Facebook and Instagram, was also summoned but did not send any representatives.
The ED is examining how unauthorized betting platforms could advertise on major digital platforms, potentially deceiving consumers and facilitating large-scale financial crime. The agency suspects the schemes may have resulted in significant tax evasion and money laundering activity worth “several crores of rupees”.
The ED had initially summoned officials from both Google and Meta to appear on July 21, but the companies requested more time to gather relevant documents and information. The ED granted a one-week extension, directing them to appear on July 28 for questioning. While Google complied, Meta did not send any representatives. Google is expected to submit documentation and possibly a statement from its designated compliance officer. The agency may also record the statement of a designated “compliance officer” of Google under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) apart from obtaining some documents from the company.
The tech giants are understood to have been called by the ED to understand how such illegal platforms are able to place advertisements on their social media and communication links. The ED is investigating whether the platforms eased the way for the promotion and wider reach of betting apps through advertisements. A government source accused Google and Meta of using their platforms to promote illegal activities, despite a government advisory against advertising any form of betting. The agency will investigate Google and Meta over the funds they received from betting apps, as well as checking if they were advertising or promoting any other betting platforms.
Several celebrities and sportspersons are also under investigation for endorsing betting apps, accused of violating the Public Gambling Act. Earlier in July 2025, actors Prakash Raj, Vijay Deverakonda, and Rana Daggubati and 26 other celebrities were charged by ED for endorsing betting apps. According to the agency, the platforms under investigation were involved in cheating users and laundering money, with large-scale tax evasion also suspected. The ED is currently handling more than a dozen cases linked to illegal betting apps, including the Mahadev Online Book, which is believed to be run by individuals from Chhattisgarh.
Google has stated its commitment to keeping its platforms safe and secure, prohibiting the promotion of illegal gambling ads. The company also said its "continuous AI advancements, complemented by human expertise, ensure all ads on our surfaces comply with local laws and our strict ad policies, and protect users from evolving threats". Google also said that last year alone, it removed 247.4 million ads and suspended 2.9 million advertiser accounts in India.
The investigation highlights the ongoing concerns about the proliferation of illegal online betting and gambling platforms in India and the role of social media and tech companies in enabling their reach. The ED has claimed that illegal online betting and gambling platforms cheated people of their hard-earned money and laundered and evaded taxes worth crores of rupees. Betting and gambling pose “significant financial and socio-economic risks for consumers, especially youth and children,” India's information and broadcasting ministry said in a 2022 advisory.
