By Top Tech Companies Face Investigation in Money Laundering Case
India’s leading financial investigation agency, the Enforcement Directorate (ED), has summoned senior executives from Google and Meta to appear at its New Delhi headquarters on July 21, 2025. This move is part of an ongoing probe into alleged money laundering linked to online betting platforms, according to two government officials familiar with the matter.
Google and Meta Under Scrutiny for Betting App Advertisements
The ED is investigating whether these tech platforms helped promote or expand the reach of illegal betting apps through online advertisements—a serious violation of Indian law.
According to the first government source, the agency is focusing on how these platforms may have facilitated the financial operations of betting apps, especially by accepting ad revenues from them.
Violation of Government Advisory on Betting Promotions
The second official revealed that Google and Meta are suspected of promoting activities prohibited by Indian law, despite a government advisory issued in 2022 by the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting.
The advisory had clearly warned against the promotion of online or offline gambling and betting, citing their harmful impact on youth and society. It emphasized that advertising such platforms is not in the public interest.
“These platforms may have ignored official warnings and still allowed betting ads to run,” said the source.
ED to Examine Financial Links with Betting Apps
As part of the investigation, the Enforcement Directorate will look into:
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Whether Google and Meta received ad payments from illegal betting apps
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If the platforms knowingly promoted any other similar apps or websites
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The extent of financial involvement in promoting gambling-related content
No Official Comments Yet from Google or Meta
Both Google and Meta have not issued any public statement or responded to media inquiries regarding the summons as of now.
Background: India’s Stand Against Gambling Promotion
In 2022, the Indian government issued a strong advisory against all forms of gambling and betting promotions. It stated that these platforms pose “serious financial and social risks,” especially to young audiences and vulnerable groups.
Despite this, betting-related ads have occasionally appeared on digital platforms, raising concerns about regulatory violations and ethical accountability among tech giants.
