WEBDESK: Popular Pakistani YouTuber Saad ur Rehman, widely known as Ducky Bhai, has confessed to promoting online betting apps.
He was arrested on 16 August by the National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA) over the promotion of gambling and betting platforms.
Speaking to the media outside court for the first time, Ducky Bhai admitted his mistake and asked the public for forgiveness.
In a viral video, he said:
“I used to make roasting videos, which I now believe were wrong. I apologise to the nation for this. Later, I was offered promotions for some apps. I advertised them without checking if they were legal. Since these apps were also shown during PSL matches on TV, I assumed they were allowed. I regret this and apologise again.”
Initially, a Lahore court handed him over to NCCIA on a two-day physical remand, later extended to four days. On 23 August, after the completion of his remand, he was produced before a judicial magistrate. The court then approved another five-day physical remand.
Ducky Bhai’s wife, Aroob Jatoi, has also been named in the case. However, the sessions court has granted her interim bail until 30 August, preventing her arrest until then.
Ducky Bhai Took $10,000–$20,000 for Each Betting App Promotion: NCCIA
According to NCCIA, Ducky Bhai earned between 10,000 to 20,000 US dollars for each promotion of gambling apps. Officials say he promoted more than 50 such programmes.
The agency added that many of these apps also misuse citizens’ personal data and phone numbers.
NCCIA has declared 46 betting and gambling apps illegal. The list includes Aviator Game, Chicken Road, 1xBet, Dafabet, 22bet, Melbet, Pari Match, Bet365, Plinko, 10cric, Rabona, and Casumo.
The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) has been given this list and is set to block these apps nationwide.
Additional Director Sarfaraz Chaudhry of NCCIA said that more than 40 gambling apps have been used to run illegal online betting worth billions of rupees in Pakistan.
He added that international betting operators recruit Pakistani influencers to promote their apps. Ducky Bhai was one of those engaged by foreign organisers.
Several other individuals involved in promoting these apps are also under investigation.
Read more: YouTuber Rajab Butt breaks silence on Ducky Bhai’s arrest
