Google has come under the scanner of the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in a major investigation linked to online betting platforms. The agency is looking into how advertisements for illegal gambling apps appeared on tech platforms and whether these platforms played a role—knowingly or unknowingly—in promoting such services. The case is being investigated under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA).
The Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) is India’s key law to combat financial crimes. It empowers agencies like the ED to investigate transactions suspected to be linked to the proceeds of crime, including those involving online platforms.
Google Under ED Scanner in Online Gambling Ad Probe
On Monday, officials from Google were questioned by the Enforcement Directorate in connection with the case. The agency is investigating multiple online betting operations suspected of laundering large amounts of money through illegal channels.
The Enforcement Directorate wants to understand how such betting platforms used digital ads to reach Indian users, despite strict laws and platform rules. While Google responded to the summons, other big platforms like Meta have yet to appear. Meta executives were originally asked to come in on July 21, with the date later moved to July 28, but they have not yet been deposed.
This investigation is part of a wider crackdown on illegal online gambling, where the Enforcement Directorate is tracking down platforms that may have cheated users and bypassed taxes worth several crores.
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During the questioning, Google shared details about how advertisements are approved and monitored on its platform. The Enforcement Directorate may have recorded a statement from a senior compliance officer and is also reviewing documents related to ad screening and approval methods.
The main question the Enforcement Directorate is asking: How did ads for betting and gambling apps show up on such platforms? These types of promotions are not only illegal in India but also banned under most tech companies’ internal policies.
Google has publicly stated before that it does not allow any ads for illegal gambling. The company says it uses a mix of artificial intelligence and human reviewers to block bad ads. In fact, Google reported that in India alone, it removed more than 247 million harmful ads and suspended about 2.9 million advertiser accounts last year.
Despite this, some betting app ads may have slipped through. The Enforcement Directorate is checking if these were accidental or due to loopholes in the system.
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Celebrities, Influencers, and Major Apps Also Under the Lens
The scope of the investigation goes beyond tech companies. The Enforcement Directorate is also looking at how celebrities, social media influencers, and even sports personalities may have played a part in promoting such platforms.
One of the key cases in this probe is the Mahadev Online Book (MOB) app, which is believed to be at the center of illegal betting operations across the country. The promoters of this app are said to be operating from Chhattisgarh, and large sums of money are suspected to have been laundered through this network.
Over a dozen similar apps and operations are being examined. Authorities believe these platforms not only tricked users but also avoided paying large amounts in taxes.
Tech platforms are now being asked to share records, ad data, and internal compliance documents to help investigators understand how these ads were published and what actions were taken against them.
In recent years, the ED has stepped up its focus on financial crimes involving digital platforms. From crypto fraud to illegal lending apps, the agency has handled multiple high-profile cases where technology was used to bypass Indian regulations.