&w=3840&q=100)
ED questions Yuvraj Singh, Urvashi Rautela in endorsements of betting apps
The Enforcement Directorate (ED) is expanding its investigation into the illegal online betting platforms and is now shifting its focus to endorsements made by former film celebrities and cricketers, according to a report by NDTV Profit.
As part of the ongoing investigations into promotional links with banned betting platforms, including 1xBet, FairPlay, Parimatch, and Lotus365, the agency questioned former Indian cricketers like Harbhajan Singh, Suresh Raina, and Yuvraj Singh, along with actors like Sonu Sood and Urvashi Rautela.
Citing an ED official, the report added, "These betting platforms are using surrogate names like 1xbat and 1xbat sporting lines in advertising campaigns. The ads often include QR codes that redirect users to betting sites, blatantly violating Indian law." While notices have been issued to some of the celebrities, others are yet to receive them, the official added.
The report said that these platforms often promote themselves as skill-based gaming platforms but operate on luck-based outcomes, by using rigged algorithms that categorise them as gambling operations according to Indian law.
The report suggests that initial findings show that these endorsements violate several Indian laws, including the Information Technology (IT) Act, the Foreign Exchange Management Act (Fema), the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), and the Benami Transactions Act. It further stated that such endorsements also violate the advisories that have been issued by the Ministry of Information & Broadcasting and the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology.
Earlier in March this year, actors from the Telugu industry, including Rana Daggubati, Prakash Raj, Vijay Devarakonda, Manchu Lakshmi, and Nidhi Agarwal, were booked for allegedly promoting betting apps, according to a report by Telangana Today.
Illegal gambling platforms' business
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Time of India
11 minutes ago
- Time of India
'Sign this and shut up!': Employee accuses HR of pressure tactics over suspicious exit papers. Netizens call out corporate gaslighting
In a viral Reddit post on r/developersIndia, a former employee has exposed what they describe as a "shady and coercive" exit process at their previous company. The post, titled 'HR Says 'You'll Get Paid, But Sign This and Shut Up!' Seriously?' , recounts how the individual was allegedly pushed into resigning under the threat of a termination mark on their record — and then strong-armed into signing questionable documents in exchange for their rightful dues. According to the user, they were asked to resign on April 1st after the company announced their termination, with HR reportedly saying a resignation would 'look better' on their career. Taking the suggestion at face value, the employee resigned the very next day and returned their work laptop as instructed. But they quickly realised they were entitled to a two-month notice period, and formally expressed their willingness to serve it. The twist? The company neither acknowledged their email nor permitted them to work during that notice period. A month later, they were informed that the compensation would be paid as part of the final settlement. By May 30th, they received their relieving letter—but it carried an unexpected surprise. The Date That Disappeared, and the Documents That Gagged The employee discovered that the relieving documents reflected April 2nd as their final working date—essentially nullifying the two-month notice period altogether. Even more baffling was the company's response. When asked to correct the date to June 2nd, in line with the stated notice period, management allegedly claimed they couldn't amend the document because it had been generated after the end of the financial year in March. As per the post, the HR team said, 'We understand, but it's a shame we can't do anything about it,' while still assuring payment—but only if the employee signed a release form stating they had 'no further claims against the company.' You Might Also Like: Can frequent job changes hurt your career growth? Employee shares his major career regrets on Reddit Also attached to the exit documents was a termination letter, a move that left the employee flabbergasted: 'There is also a termination letter attached to the relieving letter—like WHAT???' Netizens Call Out Corporate Gaslighting The Reddit post has since ignited widespread discussion and disbelief. One user bluntly advised, 'Don't sign it and threaten a legal case. They'll come back with both the updated relieving letter and the money within a day. That justification about the financial year is out of this world.' Another commented, 'What do companies get from doing something this bad to a random employee? They're giving him the pay, but not the paperwork—just because they don't want to redo a mistake?' You Might Also Like: 'Constant fear of...': Indian student in US warns others planning US education, shares struggles on Reddit A third offered a broader warning: 'Please don't resign if they are forcing you and saying termination looks bad. Companies use that to avoid paying rightful severance.' This case stands as a cautionary tale in the corporate landscape. As workplaces tighten belts and streamline headcounts, employees must remain vigilant—especially during exits. Experts recommend keeping written records of all communication, and not signing any document that contains language waiving future claims without thorough scrutiny. You Might Also Like: 'We are not robots': Techie's viral Reddit rant slams outsourcing pressure; netizens say it is Indians in the U.S., not the west, to blame
Business Standard
17 minutes ago
- Business Standard
Hong Kong: A Melange of Michelin-Starred Experiences, Food Festivals & Casual Dining
NewsVoir Hong Kong, June 17: Hong Kong, a gourmand's paradise, attracts every kind of holidaymaker-- vegetarian, non-vegetarian, vegan, the discerning and even adventurous foodie with its year-round vibrant food festivals. On the cards this year are: French GourMay Festival (1 May - 8 June 2025), Hong Kong W & D Festival (22-26 October 2025) and more. Hong Kong is an ideal food destination as the city's diverse culinary landscape features over 17,000 places to eat, ranging from Michelin-starred tasting menus, vibrant street food, casual dining and cafe spots to the eventful food-centric festivals. In Hong Kong, you're one walk away from a steaming plate of wonton noodles accompanied by glistening roasted meats and a bamboo steamer filled with dumplings. The city's multicultural culinary scene is led by its Cantonese influence. The food culture is an East-meets-West scenario where traditional Cantonese cuisine is intertwined with Southeast Asian and mainland Chinese influences. For food steeped in heritage, a walk to Tai O Fishing Village in Lantau Island, home to the fisherfolk community, will introduce you to the dried seafood trade. Marinated cuttlefish, fish balls and tofu pudding are the highlights here. A leisurely stroll along the lanes of Temple Street Night Market takes you to the heart of Hong Kong's street food culture. The stir fries straight out of the wok, the aroma of freshly fried snacks and sweet egg tarts remind you that the best food originates from the streets. Up for grabs are vegetarian and vegan delights across Cantonese, Indian and Pan Asian cuisines. Intrinsic to Hong Kong's culinary scene is its Cha Chaan Tengs or 'tea restaurants'. At these Hong Kong-style cafes, some dating back to the 1950s, a melange of British and Chinese cultures can be seen. Think compact interiors, minimalist furniture, scrambled eggs with toast and a cup of piping hot milk tea, sweetened with condensed milk or evaporated milk. Tea enthusiasts can seek solace in Cha Chaan Tengs while coffee lovers can lean on the city's burgeoning love for specialty coffee. From siphon, hand drip, or espresso, grab your cuppa from Hong Kong's cutest, pinterest-y cafes ahead of your touristy escapades. For discerning foodies, Hong Kong's Michelin-starred restaurants promise the ultimate dining experience. There's Shang Palace at Kowloon Shangri-La specialising in authentic Cantonese flavours; 8 1/2 Otto E Mezzo BOMBANA, a celebration of exceptional Italian fine-dining; Caprice, where French savoir-faire harmoniously blends with global accents; and Ying Jee Club, offering an elevated dim sum experience. Part of Hong Kong's Michelin-starred repertoire of restaurants are CHAAT and New Punjab Club, spotlighting Indian cuisine in Hong Kong. While the former serves elevated and reimagined Indian street food in a modern setting; the latter, is a vibrant, tandoor grill house paying homage to recipes of northern India and Eastern Pakistan. The love for Indian food and Indian restaurants is not new to Hong Kong that houses many fine-dining spots like Bombay Dreams, Chaska, Woodlands and more to satiate local and global audience in the city. What complements Hong Kong's diverse culinary scene is its buzzing nightlife. Over the years, the city's nightlife scene has embraced both craftsmanship and creativity, resulting in many making gaining global recognition on the Asia's 50 Best list. Coa is a love letter to Mexican special drinks. Offering stunning views of the Hong Kong skyline is Argo, while Pencillin revolutionises the scene with its environmentally-focused approach. The culinary culture in Hong Kong extends beyond its usual offerings, with food festivals attracting locals and tourists alike throughout the year. From 14 June 2025 to 22 June 2025, the ARTBOX Hong Kong 2025, Asia's largest pop-up container market, will take over the city. Held at Kai Tak Sports Park, festival-goers can expect neon light-themed installations, high-energy entertainment, plenty of F & B brands, local and global retail names and more. 'A Movable Feast: The Culture of Food and Drink in China', ongoing till 18 June, 2025 lets you immerse yourself in the traditional Chinese food culture through an exhibit at The Palace Museum featuring over 110 exquisite works. The event takes you on a journey of eating practices, the evolution of food vessels and the lifestyle of ancient Chinese people, an important demographic in Hong Kong. The festival ends on a sweet note with a series of dining promotions across the city in November. To stay up to date about more such culinary events in Hong Kong, check DiscoverHongKong's calendar of cultural events. Hong Kong's culinary scene promises to be a feast for the senses and the soul. It beckons travellers to go on a mirage of flavours, textures and stories steeped in heritage. Curly Tales is India's leading food, travel and lifestyle platform founded by Kamiya Jani in 2016 after her decade-long experience as a finance, sports and lifestyle journalist and TV anchor. Curly Tales is a platform that offers content to inspire and inform viewers with a focus on celebrating food, travel and unique experiences across India and the globe.
India Today
21 minutes ago
- India Today
ED summons Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister's brother in money laundering probe
The Enforcement Directorate has summoned Congress leader DK Suresh, younger brother of Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar, for questioning in connection with a money laundering case linked to an alleged cheating operation by a local woman. Official sources said on Tuesday that Suresh has been asked to appear before the agency on June 19 to record his statement under the provisions of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA).advertisementSuresh had previously filed a complaint with the Bengaluru police, stating that his name was being 'misused'. The Enforcement Directorate is also understood to have recorded MLA Vinay Kulkarni's statement as part of the ongoing probe. The federal agency arrested 33-year-old Aishwarya Gowda in April, following searches on her and Congress MLA Vinay Kulkarni. According to an official statement issued at the time, the agency said Gowda claimed to have close ties with 'high-profile' politicians and allegedly defrauded several individuals by promising high returns on investments in gold, cash and bank deposits. She reportedly used the name of DK Suresh and claimed to be his money laundering case against Gowda, her husband Harish KN, and others stems from a series of FIRs registered at different police stations in Karnataka. The FIRs allege that the accused engaged in a criminal conspiracy to defraud multiple people by collecting gold, cash and bank transfers in exchange for a promise of high Enforcement Directorate said that the accused failed to return the money or provide the promised returns, and that Gowda allegedly threatened victims who pursued legal action by claiming links with senior political leaders. During the searches, officials reportedly seized digital evidence, documents related to the laundering activities, and Rs 2.25 crore in legislator, speaking to the media after the ED raids, denied any wrongdoing. He said that any financial dealings with Gowda, if they existed, would be traceable through proper financial the raids on MLA Vinay Kulkarni, Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah condemned the agency's action, calling it a politically motivated move. 'The ED raids are the outcome of politics of vengeance. Centre carries out these kinds of raids,' he Chief Minister questioned why similar action had not been taken against leaders from the BJP. IN THIS STORY#Karnataka#Bengaluru
