The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has issued a second official summons to global tech firms Google and Meta as part of its ongoing investigation into advertisements promoting illegal betting and gambling applications on their platforms in India. The case has brought renewed scrutiny to how major digital platforms manage advertising content and ensure compliance with Indian laws, especially in sectors classified as high risk such as online betting.
According to sources within the investigating agency, the ED suspects that both Google and Meta continued to allow paid promotions for unregulated betting apps, despite multiple advisories and complaints issued earlier by Indian authorities. The ED believes that by monetising these advertisements, the platforms may have violated provisions of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act and other related laws that prohibit the advertisement of illegal betting or gambling services.
These developments follow a series of digital crackdowns in recent months, where the government has taken steps to block or restrict apps and websites found to be promoting betting, online gaming for money, or financial fraud. The ED is now focusing on the role of tech intermediaries who allegedly allowed such content to appear on their platforms without proper due diligence or regulatory vetting.
The second summons demands that representatives from Google and Meta appear before the agency to provide comprehensive explanations regarding their ad policies, revenue generated from the alleged betting app promotions, and internal mechanisms used to flag or remove prohibited content. Officials are particularly concerned about the large-scale dissemination of such ads during major sporting events, which may have misled a significant number of users across India.
Both companies, while maintaining they follow local laws and community standards, are expected to submit records and provide clarity on how ads are reviewed before being approved. In a prior communication, Google had mentioned that it has strict policies that prohibit ads for gambling or betting products unless explicitly allowed under local law. Meta has also indicated it uses artificial intelligence and human moderators to detect violations.
Legal experts suggest that while digital platforms may not always be directly liable for user-generated content, they are responsible for ensuring that paid promotions meet the legal criteria set by Indian regulators. The outcome of this case could lead to stricter compliance requirements for online advertising and a more defined framework for ad-related content on digital platforms.
As the investigation unfolds, industry stakeholders are closely monitoring the ED’s next moves, as this may set a precedent for how international digital platforms are held accountable for enabling or distributing content that is considered illegal or unethical under Indian law.
If the ED finds sufficient grounds, penalties or legal action could be taken, potentially resulting in financial liabilities or content restrictions. The final outcome could also influence policy amendments or future regulatory frameworks around digital advertising in India.
