Google Representatives Depose Before ED In Connection With Promotion Of Online Betting Platforms | India News

By Pune Media On Jul 28, 2025

Last Updated:July 28, 2025, 17:02 IST

The ED had summoned tech giants Google and Meta on June 21, and later extended their deposition to July 28 as they sought more time to appear in the online betting case.

Google executives appeared before ED officials on July 28. (Image for representation)

Google representatives on Monday deposed before the Enforcement Directorate (ED) as part of a money laundering probe linked to the promotion of “illegal” online betting and gambling platforms.

The ED had summoned the officials of tech giants Google and Meta on June 21, and later extended their deposition to July 28 as they sought more time to appear. However, Meta executives did not depose before the probe agency, sources told news agency PTI.

The agency is also expected to record the statement of a designated compliance officer from Google on Monday as part of its ongoing investigation under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), and is also likely to obtain relevant documents from the company.

This development is part of a broader probe into illegal online betting and gambling platforms. The ED is examining how such entities managed to advertise on major digital platforms, including social media and app stores.

Earlier, the representatives of the two companies sought deferment of the July 21 summons, saying they need time to collect relevant information and documents before they present themselves for questioning and recording of their statements at the ED.

The ED is probing multiple platforms hosting illegal betting and gambling links, including instances of advertisements placed for them on various internet-based social media outlets and app stores. Google and Meta are understood to have been called by the ED to understand how such illegal platforms can place advertisements on their social media and communication links.

Some actors, celebrities and sportspersons are also under the scanner of the agency in these cases, and they are also expected to depose before the ED.

‘Committed To Keep Platforms Safe’

A Google spokesperson told PTI last week that the company is “committed to keeping our platforms safe and secure, prohibiting the promotion of illegal gambling ads.” The spokesperson asserted that Google is fully cooperating with investigating agencies to “hold bad actors responsible and keep users safe.”

Google stated that its ad systems are supported by continuous advancements in artificial intelligence and human oversight to ensure compliance with local laws and company policies. “Last year alone, we removed 247.4 million ads and suspended 2.9 million advertiser accounts in India,” the company noted.

The ED has said illegal online betting and gambling platforms were cheating innocent people of their hard-earned money, and also laundering and evading taxes worth crores of rupees. It is investigating more than a dozen big cases linked to illegal gambling and betting platforms across the country, including the Mahadev Online Book (MOB) app whose main promoters hail from Chhattisgarh.

(with PTI inputs)

Aveek Banerjee

Aveek Banerjee is a Senior Sub Editor at News18. Based in Noida with a Master’s in Global Studies, Aveek has more than three years of experience in digital media and news curation, specialising in international…Read More

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