Top Telugu actor and Andhra legislator Nandamuri Balakrishna (NBK) who is currently hosting the second season of the popular OTT talkshow Unstoppable is seen promoting a gambling and betting platform Fun88 in the show.

Fun88 which operates a betting platform is co-sponsor for the show and the top Tollywood star is seen promoting the brand number of times in each episode. Each episode sees NBK interviewing celebrities and politicians from Andhra and Telangana.

The first episode of the show has seen NBK’s brother-in-law and three time Andhra Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu (CBN) and NBK’s son-in-law Nara Lokesh. CBN currently heads Telugu Desam Party (TDP) which NBK represents in the Andhra assembly. The promotion of betting platform happened even in the presence of CBN, the current opposition leader in the Andhra Pradesh assembly.

While the central government has issued two warnings to digital and print media to avoid gambling ads in recent times, a top celebrity and a two time legislator is promoting a betting platform disregarding the government directives.

Andhra Pradesh and another Telugu state Telangana are among the few States where all gaming for stakes including on skill games is prohibited. As a legislator, it must be assumed that NBK is aware of the legislations in place and the promotions he is undertaking.

On the website, FUN88 announced the association: “We are glad to announce that it is the Official Sponsor of UNSTOPPABLE 2 on the biggest Telugu OTT Platform AHA with the Mega Star MR. NANDAMURI BALAKRISHNA.” The illegal betting platform also announced a contest where users are required to deposit INR 10,000 and bet with lucky winners getting passes for Unstoppable 2.

TDP often raises the issue of illegal gambling in Andhra Pradesh and earlier demanded the resignation of Gudivada legislator Kodali Nani when a casino came up during last year’s Pongal celebration. The stand of TDP is not clear on their own legislator and member from party’s first family promoting illegal betting platform now.