In a state where Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu once promised innovation and development, Andhra Pradesh now teeters on the edge of a moral and financial abyss. The Telugu Desam Party (TDP) and Janasena Party coalition, under Naidu’s leadership, stand accused of fostering a gambling culture through party-linked influencers and a controversial plan to legalize lotteries and online gaming, all in the name of revenue. While Telangana jails influencers for promoting illegal betting apps, Andhra’s silence on its culprits speaks volumes, contrasting sharply with its neighbor’s decisive crackdown.
The Betting Influencer Scandal
The Panjagutta police in Hyderabad recently booked 11 individuals—including Vishnupriya, Supritha, Ritu Chaudhary, Harsha Sai, Tasty Teja, Pareshan Boys Imran, Kiran Goud, Ajay, Sunny, and Sudheer—for promoting illegal betting apps. **In Telangana, authorities have acted swiftly, filing cases under the Telangana Gaming Act and IT Act, spurred by campaigns like #SayNoToBettingApps led by IPS officer VC Sajjanar.** Yet, the spotlight has shifted to Andhra Pradesh, where TDP and Janasena affiliates are implicated in similar schemes **yet face no repercussions, fueling accusations of complicity.**
Influencers with TDP-Janasena Links
- Local Boy Nani: A prominent YouTube influencer from Visakhapatnam, Localboy Nani was arrested by the city police in February 2025 for promoting betting apps, as reported by NewsMeter. His videos touted “easy money with less investment,” luring vulnerable viewers into financial ruin. Nani’s vocal support for the TDP-Janasena coalition government during the 2024 elections amplifies concerns that his actions align with a broader party agenda to normalize online gambling.
- Supritha: Known as the daughter of actress Surekha Vani, Supritha was among those booked by Panjagutta police on March 17–18, 2025, for endorsing betting apps. Her public affiliation with Janasena, including campaign appearances, ties her closely to the party. Despite her arrest and a subsequent apology video, her prior promotion of these platforms suggests a permissive attitude within Janasena circles.
- Harsha Sai: A YouTuber with over 10 million followers, Harsha Sai was also named in the Panjagutta case for promoting apps like Parimatch. Reports indicate a victim lost Rs. 13 lakh after being influenced by his content. Notably, Harsha Sai promoted himself to run as a Janasena MLA candidate in the 2024 elections, cementing his status as a party figure. His defense, “If I don’t promote them, someone else will”, echoes a troubling ambivalence that critics argue reflects TDP-Janasena’s lax oversight.
- Mad Screamers (Damera Samuel Raj): This influencer, associated with Janasena’s online outreach, promoted betting apps in now-deleted videos. Unlike others, Damera Samuel Raj has faced no arrests or formal complaints, possibly due to his quick retraction of the content. His evasion of accountability hints at selective protection for party loyalists, further fueling accusations of complicity.
Naidu’s Revenue Gamble
The Andhra Pradesh government’s move to consider lifting the ban on lotteries and online gaming, as outlined in a Hindu Business Line article, is framed as a fiscal strategy to generate Rs.13,100 crore. Naidu’s latest “innovative” plan reverses a ban imposed under Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy, who sought to shield families from financial ruin. With proposals circulating and a decision imminent, critics argue this isn’t about necessity but a bid to legitimize a vice Naidu’s allies already exploit. Is he merely taxing an existing evil, “People are betting anyway, so let’s profit”, or seeding addiction among the unaware? Victims like the Hyderabad man who lost Rs.13 lakh to Harsha Sai’s influence underscore the human toll, financial ruin, addiction, and despair that TDP and Janasena seem willing to overlook.
A Visionary’s Fall?
Naidu’s 40-year legacy now risks being overshadowed by privatized liquor shops, movie ticket hikes, and gambling schemes. Having justified affordable liquor in the Assembly, will he soon champion lotteries in every household? As Andhra’s youth fall prey to betting apps peddled by TDP-Janasena influencers, the coalition’s inaction stands in stark relief to Telangana’s resolve. Is this the “wealth creation” Naidu envisioned or a reckless plunge into vice?
A Call for Accountability
The TDP-Janasena coalition must answer tough questions: Why are their affiliates promoting illegal betting apps with impunity? Is the drive for tax revenue a convenient cover for turning a blind eye to gambling-related corruption? As Andhra Pradesh edges toward legalizing online gaming, the government risks legitimizing a shadowy industry already thriving under its watch. Until the coalition distances itself from these influencers and cracks down on their activities, accusations of complicity will only grow louder.
