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).

Advertisement

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.

Advertisement

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.

Advertisement

Pavilion Payments, the leading omnichannel payment solutions provider in the gaming industry, has acquired CasinoSoft, a trusted leader in Anti-Money Laundering (AML)/Title 31 compliance, automated tax form processing, jackpot handling and regulatory reporting software. Together, they are building a unified solution that simplifies and modernizes gaming operations.

“We have put 20 years of our heart and soul into building the CasinoSoft brand and are thrilled with the many ways this acquisition moves us to the next level. The success of our robust suite of AML/Title 31 and tax form products is evidenced by the longstanding partnerships we enjoy with our many satisfied customers throughout the industry,” said Matt Montano, Principal and Owner of CasinoSoft.

The new offering combines Pavilion Payments’ seamless player funding and payment ecosystem with CasinoSoft’s industry-leading compliance and automation software. The result is a powerful, vertically integrated platform that streamlines floor, cage and slot operations, making them faster, easier and more secure for casinos, route gaming as well as iGaming and sportsbook operators.

Advertisement

“CasinoSoft is the industry standard for AML/Title 31 compliance, automated tax forms, jackpot processing, and associated reporting services. With this acquisition, we plan to grow the broader Pavilion business with several new patents, innovative products, and transformative solutions that position us as the clear leader in fintech payments, cashless gaming, cage, and floor automation,” said Diallo Gordon, President of Pavilion Payments.

For more than two decades, CasinoSoft has helped casinos streamline Title 31, AML, tax forms and jackpot workflows, keeping operations audit-ready and freeing up staff to focus on the guest experience. By joining Pavilion Payments, CasinoSoft expands its ability to deliver end-to-end compliance and payment solutions within a single, connected system, reducing manual steps and increasing automation.

“At Pavilion Payments, we pride ourselves on offering our partners and customers a vibrant and diverse portfolio of products and services. The addition of CasinoSoft’s products to our lineup furthers our delivery on that goal. We’re delighted to add CasinoSoft to our team and look forward to delighting our customers with them,” said Dan Connors, CEO of Pavilion Payments.