Executives of tech giants Meta and Google did not depose before the Enforcement Directorate of India (ED) on Monday and have now been given fresh summons for July 28 in a money laundering case linked to promotion of illegal online betting and gambling platforms.

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 federal probe agency.

The executives have been given a one-week extension and asked to depose on July 28. Once they depose, their statements will be recorded under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA).

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A Google spokesperson said that the company was “committed to keeping our platforms safe and secure, prohibiting the promotion of illegal gambling ads.”

“We are extending our full support and cooperation to investigating agencies to hold bad actors responsible and keep users safe,” the spokesperson said.

There was no response from Meta.

The federal agency is probing several platforms allegedly hosting illegal betting and gambling links, including instances of advertisements placed for them on various social media outlets and app stores.

The tech giants are understood to have been called by the ED to know how such illegal platforms can place ads on their portals.

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Some actors, celebrities and sports persons are also under the scanner of the agency in these cases, and are expected to depose.

The ED has claimed illegal online betting and gambling platforms cheated people of their hard-earned money, and also laundered and evaded paying taxes of up to several crores of rupees.

Google said its “continuous AI advancements, complemented by human expertise, ensure all ads on our surfaces comply with local laws and our strict ad policies, and protect users from evolving threats.”

“Last year alone, we removed 247.4 million ads and suspended 2.9 million advertiser accounts in India,” the firm said.

The ED is investigating more than a dozen cases linked to illegal gambling and betting platforms across the country, including the Mahadev Online Book (MOB) app, whose main promoters hail from Chhattisgarh.

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BETER, the award-winning provider of fast-betting content, data, and odds for esports and sports, has strengthened its global team with the appointment of Miguel Valdes as Business Development Manager for the Asia–Pacific region.

Miguel is an experienced business development manager, having previously worked at prominent companies including SiGMA World, among others.

In his new role, Miguel will be responsible for driving BETER`s growth by creating new opportunities with operators, platform providers, and aggregators, helping the supplier expand its presence across the APAC region.

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This includes establishing strategic partnerships and nurturing existing relationships with local partners as part of BETER’s broader efforts to scale quickly in APAC, mirroring its rapid growth in markets such as Latin America and Europe.

Miguel’s efforts will support BETER’s expansion into various APAC markets by leveraging the region’s strong demand for its fast-betting content. He will also lead the development of a local team focused on strengthening BETER’s footprint in the area.

Chuck Robinson, Chief Revenue Officer at BETER, commented: “Miguel is a strong addition to our team and will lead BETER’s development in the APAC region. He brings valuable experience to the table, and we are delighted to welcome him on board.

“We have ambitious plans for the region and with our various portfolio of esports and sports products, we’re perfectly positioned to meet the needs of the next-gen bettors there.” 

Miguel Valdes added: “I’m excited to join BETER, especially at a time when the demand for fast-paced content is rapidly growing. This trend is evident not only in APAC but worldwide, with BETER driving that movement.

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“The region holds enormous opportunities, not only for BETER but also for the operators and aggregators who are open to leveraging fast-betting potential. I look forward to contributing to BETER’s growth and exploring new markets across APAC together.” 

DigiPlus Interactive Corp., the Philippines’ leading digital entertainment company, has announced its strong support for smart, balanced online gambling regulation that protects players, ensures industry accountability and sustains the economic value generated by the legal online gaming sector.

“We believe regulation is the path to player protection. It’s the only way to safeguard players, preserve jobs, and close the door on illegal, underground platforms that operate without any oversight,” said DigiPlus Chairman Eusebio Tanco.

As the operator behind leading online gaming platforms such as BingoPlus, ArenaPlus and GameZone, DigiPlus has consistently aligned with the principles being raised by lawmakers and advocacy groups. In fact, many of the proposed safeguards are already embedded across its platforms. All users undergo strict Know-Your-Customer (KYC) verification, including government ID checks and age gating. Responsible gaming features, such as deposit limits, self-exclusion options, and cooling-off periods, have been readily accessible since November 2024.

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Beyond existing tools, DigiPlus is rolling out a new wave of initiatives. These include enhanced affordability checks, behavioural nudges to curb excessive gaming, and referral pathways to licensed mental health experts. In July 2025, the company will also launch in-app community spaces to engage players in responsible gaming conversations and peer support. Across all its platforms, responsible gaming content is now featured more prominently than ever, not as fine print, but as part of the core user experience.

The company also complies with existing advertising restrictions and is actively revising its promotional strategies in light of new government guidance. Its internal marketing mandate prohibits targeting minors, avoids depictions of wealth or urgency and excludes messaging that could be construed as predatory. DigiPlus has also partnered with NGOs and civil society organisations to promote financial literacy and digital responsibility among players, efforts that go beyond what is required under current law.

DigiPlus emphasizes that these measures are not reactions to regulatory pressure, but part of a multi-year strategy to build a responsible gaming ecosystem. The company invests in data science, player support systems and compliance technologies precisely because it believes the future of gaming depends on trust and transparency. That is why it fully supports updated legislation, particularly around stronger penalties for illegal operators, and clearer advertising standards.

Crucially, DigiPlus urges policymakers to weigh the consequences of a total ban. The experience of other countries has shown that banning licensed platforms does not eliminate demand for online gaming, but merely shifts users to unregulated black markets where there are no protections, no taxes and no accountability. In contrast, a well-regulated environment can protect players, generate billions in government revenue and sustain over 40,000 jobs across tech, marketing, entertainment, customer service and compliance.

“With the right rules in place, the Philippines can be a model for safe, transparent online gaming in Asia. We are ready to work hand-in-hand with regulators, legislators, and community groups to make that vision real,” Tanco said.

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