Actor Vijay Deverakonda on Wednesday appeared before the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in Hyderabad in connection to an ongoing investigation of the alleged promotion of betting apps. The actor came under scrutiny during the investigation into a digital platform suspected of facilitating illegal online betting.
Vijay Deverakonda’s Comments
After his interrogation, Vijay addressed the media and cleared the air about any wrongdoing. In Telugu, he stated, “I was summoned because my name came up in connection with a betting app case. In India, there are two categories betting apps and gaming apps.”
Vijay elaborated that he endorsed A23, which is a legal gaming platform, and not any illegal betting app. “Also, gaming apps are registered, taxed, and approved in few states. I have submitted to the ED all the relevant financial records, such as my bank statements and my agreement with the company. As for A23, it is not even available in Telangana,” he mentioned.
Clear cut clarity and explanation about A23 app and its endorsement #VijayDeverakonda pic.twitter.com/NHz2fiYYKk
— Numb (@FanDeverakonda) August 6, 2025
A sizable media gathering awaited Deverakonda outside the ED office earlier in the day. However, his crew refused to engage right away, stating that “Sir cannot talk,” before the actor went inside to be questioned. Vijay most recently starred in the July 31 theatrical release of the movie Kingdom.
Celebrities Under the ED Spotlight
This case is part of a wider investigation against celebrities allegedly connected to betting platforms. Rana Daggubati, Lakshmi Manchu and Prakash Raj have also been summoned by the ED along with Deverakonda.
Prakash Raj appeared before the investigators on July 30 to say he promoted a gaming app in 2016, then cancelled his contract and rejected payment due to personal ethics.
The media had turned out in large numbers outside the ED office when Vijay arrived for questioning, the last actor to be seen in Kingdom on July 31.
