Vijay Deverakonda's Team Responds to FIR Over Betting App Promotion: 'Legally permitted..'

Vijay Deverakonda, a prominent Telugu film star, has been caught in a controversy after being included in a police complaint, alongside 24 others, for supposedly promoting illegal betting and gambling applications. In response, the actor's representatives have released a formal statement, explaining that his endorsement was solely for online skill-based games that operate within legal parameters.

This is to inform the public and all concerned parties that Mr Vijay Deverakonda had officially entered into a contract with a company solely for the limited purpose of serving as a brand ambassador for skill-based games. His endorsement was strictly confined to regions and territories where online skill-based games are legally permitted

- Team Vijay Deverakonda

The FIR, which names several prominent figures from the Telugu film industry, including Rana Daggubati, Prakash Raj, Manchu Lakshmi, Pranitha, and Nidhhi Agerwal, is under investigation. Authorities are looking into the extent of their involvement in promoting these platforms.

Rana Daggubati and Prakash Raj, listed as Accused 1 and Accused 2 respectively, are alleged to have promoted Junglee Rummy through pop-up ads. Vijay Deverakonda, on the other hand, is accused of endorsing A23 Rummy. His team further claimed, “It is important to clarify that skill-based games, including online games such as rummy, have been repeatedly recognised by the Honourable Supreme Court of India as distinct from gambling or gaming. The court has upheld that such games involve skill rather than chance, making them legally permissible."

Vijay Deverakonda's representatives have assured the public that all brand collaborations he undertakes undergo rigorous legal examination before he commits to any agreement. They emphasized that the same thorough due diligence was applied to A23 to guarantee legal compliance. His team further clarified that his partnership with the company concluded in 2023.

Meanwhile, the FIR stated, “These platforms are encouraging public, especially people in dire need of money, to invest their hard-earned and family money into those apps/websites and slowly get addicted to them, leading to total financial collapse."

The complaint alleges that these platforms have facilitated transactions worth billions of rupees, pushing many middle- and lower-middle-class families into dire financial straits, potentially exacerbating existing financial vulnerabilities.