Complaint against Balakrishna, Prabhas, Gopichand for endorsing betting app
What's the story
The controversy over Tollywood celebrities endorsing betting apps has taken a new turn.
Now, actors Nandamuri Balakrishna, Tottempudi Gopicand, and Prabhas are facing legal scrutiny.
Rama Rao Immaneni lodged a complaint against the trio accusing them of promoting a Chinese betting app, Fun88, via Google Chrome, reported 123Telugu.
The app was allegedly promoted on Balakrishna's show Unstoppable Season 2.
The app reportedly duped several users into playing games and losing money, funneled through mule accounts.
Legal breach
Allegations of violating Telangana Gaming Amendment Act, 2017
Immaneni alleges that the app is connected to a banned Chinese gaming platform, breaching the Telangana Gaming Amendment Act, 2017, and the Digital Media Ethics Code.
The complaint has urged authorities to block the app from public access over national security risks.
It also demands legal action under Section 66F(B) of the Information Technology Act and other relevant provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS).
Legal clarification
Vijay Deverakonda's team recently clarified endorsement of 'skill-based games'
Meanwhile, Vijay Deverakonda's team recently issued a statement after an FIR was filed against him by Telangana police for allegedly promoting a betting app.
They clarified that he only promoted online skill-based games which are legally allowed and not illegal betting.
"His endorsement was strictly confined to regions and territories where online skill-based games are legally permitted," his team said.
Endorsement details
Rana Daggubati's team echoed similar sentiments
Rana Daggubati's team also clarified that he had signed a contract as a brand ambassador for a skill-based gaming company, which expired in 2017.
"His endorsement was strictly limited to regions where online skill-based games were legally permitted," the statement read.
It added that Daggubati's legal team carefully reviews all partnerships before entering into agreements, ensuring full compliance with the law.
Admission of error
Prakash Raj admitted to 'mistake' of promoting betting app
In sharp contrast, Prakash Raj confessed to his "mistake" of promoting a betting app eight years ago.
He said he did a "gaming app advertisement in June 2016," but learned his "mistake" a few months later.
"I couldn't do anything about it since the contract was for a year, so I let it go. However, when the company wanted to renew the contract, I refused, as my conscience did not accept it," he said.