India’s Enforcement Directorate Summons Google, Meta Executives in Online Betting Investigation
India’s top financial crime agency, the Enforcement Directorate (ED), has summoned senior executives from Google and Meta as part of an ongoing investigation into alleged money laundering involving online betting apps, according to two government sources familiar with the matter.
The executives are scheduled to appear at the ED headquarters in New Delhi on July 21, sources told Reuters on condition of anonymity, as they are not authorised to speak publicly.
Investigation Focus: Ads and Financial Links to Betting Apps
The ED is probing whether Google and Meta facilitated the promotion and reach of illegal betting platforms through their advertising services, despite longstanding government advisories banning such promotions.
“The agency will investigate how much money Google and Meta received from betting platforms,” the second source said, adding that the probe also aims to determine whether the tech giants were involved in promoting other betting-related content.
Allegations Violate Government Advisory
The Indian government has consistently warned digital and broadcast platforms against promoting betting and gambling content. A 2022 advisory from the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting emphasised that such content poses “significant financial and socio-economic risks,” particularly to youth and children.
“Promotion of offline or online betting and gambling through advertisements is not advised in the larger public interest,” the ministry stated at the time.
Despite these warnings, authorities now allege that both platforms may have indirectly supported illegal gambling activities through paid advertising and content placement.
Google and Meta Yet to Comment
As of publication time, Google and Meta have not responded to Reuters’ requests for comment regarding the ED summons or the allegations.
The inquiry signals increased regulatory scrutiny of Big Tech’s role in content moderation and financial transparency in India, especially in sensitive sectors like online betting and gambling. The news was first reported by domestic news agency ANI.
Broader Implications for Tech Platforms
India is one of the largest digital markets globally, and regulatory developments in the country are closely watched by major tech firms. If the ED finds violations, Google and Meta could face fines or restrictions, and the case may set a precedent for future investigations into platform accountability in financial crimes.
Conclusion
The ED’s summons to Google and Meta underscores India’s tough stance on illegal online betting and its commitment to protecting consumers from harmful digital content. As the investigation unfolds, it could have wide-reaching implications for how tech companies manage advertising and comply with government regulations in India.
