Vijay Deverakonda’s PR team issues clarification on online betting apps row

Hyderabad: Hours after Miyapur police in Cyberabad registered a case against 25 individuals including Vijay Deverakonda for allegedly promoting online betting apps, the Liger actor’s PR team issued a clarification and said the actor’s endorsement was strictly limited to regions where online skill-based games are legally permitted.

Earlier, the police booked a case against 25 persons, including well-known actors Rana Daggubati, Prakash Raj, Vijay Deverakonda, Manchu Lakshmi, and Nidhhi Agarwal, for allegedly promoting online betting applications.

Releasing a statement on Thursday, Vijay Deverakonda’s PR team said the actor had ‘entered into a contract with a company solely for the limited purpose of serving as a brand ambassador for skill-based games.’ It also stated that his ‘endorsement was strictly confined to regions and territories where online skill-based games are legally permitted.’

“Skill-based games, including online games such as rummy, have been repeatedly recognized 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,” the statement further stated.

The statement also mentioned that Vijay Deverakonda’s legal team and agencies carefully review all associations before entering into any agreements. After a thorough legal review, the actor had agreed to endorse the skill-based gaming platform A23, ensuring that his association aligned with the law standards.

“The actor’s endorsement term (with the company) ended in 2023, and he is no longer associated with the brand,” it said.

Following a petition from one Phanindra Sarma, a resident of Miyapur, the police registered an FIR against the celebrities involved, including Rana Daggubati and Prakash Raj, who were reportedly promoting Jungleerummy.com, Vijay Devarakonda endorsing A23, Manchu Lakshmi promoting Yolo247.com, and Nidhi Agarwal linked with JeetWin.

Other celebrities named in the FIR include Praneetha, who promoted Fairplay.live, Ananya Nagella with Vlbook.co, Siri Hanumanthu endorsing Taj77, Sreemukhi linked to Vvbbok.co, and Varshini Sounderajan promoting Dhanibook365.