Google questioned in India’s money-laundering probe into online betting ads; Meta no show
Google executives appeared before India’s Enforcement Directorate as part of a probe into illegal betting platforms, Meta officials did not attend the hearing.
Key Points:
– Google cooperated with ED’s investigation into ads promoting illegal betting platforms
– Meta did not appear despite summons
– ED is also scrutinising celebrities and sports figures linked to the ads
Google representatives appeared before India’s Enforcement Directorate (ED) for questioning in connection with a money laundering investigation involving the promotion of illegal betting and gambling platforms.
The case is being pursued under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act and the agency had initially summoned officials from both Google and Meta to appear.
The ED is examining how unauthorised betting platforms were able to advertise on major digital platforms, potentially deceiving consumers and facilitating large-scale financial crime.
The agency suspects the schemes may have resulted in significant tax evasion and money laundering activity worth “several crores of rupees.”
While Google complied and attended the hearing, Meta, which owns Facebook and Instagram, did not send any representatives.
As part of its cooperation, Google is expected to submit documentation and possibly a statement from its designated compliance officer.
The company reiterated its commitment to platform safety in a recent statement saying: “We are extending our full support and cooperation to investigating agencies to hold bad actors responsible and keep users safe.”
Good to know: The ED continues to investigate high-profile links to illegal betting, with actors, influencers and athletes also under scrutiny
Google added that its ad policies are enforced using AI systems combined with human review, and noted that in 2023 alone, it removed over 247 million ads and suspended nearly 3 million advertiser accounts in India.
Meta has yet to publicly comment on its non-appearance.
Gambling Insider delivers the latest industry news, in-depth features, and operator reviews that you can trust. Our team combines rigorous editorial standards with decades of specialized expertise to ensure accuracy and fairness. We are committed to delivering clear, impartial, and dependable coverage across the global gambling sector.
