ED summons Google, Meta executives in betting app case

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has summoned executives of tech giants Google and Meta to its headquarters as it investigates accusations of money laundering on online betting apps, according to two government sources. The financial crime fighting agency is investigating whether the platforms eased the way for promotion and wider reach of betting apps through advertisements. A date of July 21 has been set for the appearances at the agency's headquarters in New Delhi to record their statements as part of its case registered under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA).

 The federal agency is also learnt to have sought some records from both the companies.

 As part of a larger probe into multiple illegal online betting platforms, the financial crimes probe agency has been asking questions not only from tech firms, but also media houses which may have received money for advertisements from them, said the source aware of the development.

According to the source, several platforms hosting illegal betting and gambling links, including instances of advertisements placed for them on various social media outlets and app stores, are under the scanner.

The Union ministry of information and broadcasting in 2023 issued four advisories to newspapers, broadcast news channels, entertainment channels, publishers of online news and current affairs content, online advertisement intermediaries (like Google and Facebook), and social media platforms to not advertise online betting platforms. However, despite these instructions from the Centre, eminent personalities in the field of entertainment and sports endorsed them.