A months-long investigation has revealed how gambling apps in Pakistan are being aggressively marketed through social media influencers. The probe has exposed how “World 777,” a controversial betting app, is pouring massive amounts of money into influencer campaigns, targeting millions of young Pakistanis.
Evidence from whistleblowers and digital investigators shows that high-profile influencers promoted World 777 by disguising gambling as harmless fun. Their videos framed online betting as “easy money” or exciting “challenges.” This content quickly went viral, luring thousands of unsuspecting users into the trap of digital gambling.
Influencers Under Fire
The inquiry identified a list of well-known names accused of promoting World 777. These include YouTuber Nadir Ali, along with Aimen Zaman, Varda Malik, Javeria Aurangzeb, Abeera Khan, Faryal Fairy, Nauman Kazmi, and Furqan Khan. Their endorsements played a key role in normalizing gambling apps in Pakistan.
Videos showed these influencers encouraging fans to sign up and play. Some even shared referral codes, which helped the app track new users and funnel more money into its system. Critics argue that this tactic exploited young followers’ trust and pushed them toward addiction.
A Financial Black Hole
Officials estimate that billions of rupees are leaving Pakistan every month through apps like World 777. This outflow is creating what experts call a “shadow economy.” It not only weakens Pakistan’s financial stability but also drains household incomes.
A senior official linked to the probe explained:
“Every rupee that leaves the country through these apps is an economic wound. And it’s ordinary Pakistanis, especially the youth, who are paying the price.”
Gambling apps in Pakistan are designed to keep players hooked. Small wins are used to tempt users into placing larger bets. Once trapped, many find themselves borrowing money or selling assets to continue playing.
The Human Cost
Psychologists warn that online gambling is more than a financial threat—it’s a public health crisis. Mental health professionals have reported a rise in anxiety, depression, and compulsive behaviors linked to gambling apps in Pakistan.
Young men, in particular, are highly vulnerable. Easy access to these apps, combined with peer pressure and influencer promotions, has created what experts describe as “a breeding ground for addiction.”
One Lahore student shared his story after losing Rs. 70,000 in a single month. He admitted he was influenced by a celebrity endorsement video. “At first, it looked like a fun challenge. But soon I couldn’t stop. I kept hoping to win back my losses, but it only got worse,” he said.
Public Backlash Against Influencers
The role of influencers in promoting gambling apps in Pakistan has triggered widespread outrage. Social media timelines have been flooded with angry reactions. Hashtags such as #BanOnlineGambling and #ShameOnInfluencers have trended for days.
Many users accused influencers of betraying their fans by prioritizing money over responsibility. “They built their careers on our support, and now they’re selling us scams,” one angry commenter wrote.
Public calls for accountability are growing louder, with many demanding permanent bans on influencers found guilty of promoting gambling.
Government and Regulatory Response
Authorities say investigations into World 777 and other gambling apps in Pakistan are ongoing. The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) is working with financial watchdogs to track money transfers and identify networks behind these platforms.
Officials have hinted at new digital laws that would impose harsher penalties on both gambling operators and influencers who promote them. Regulators are also considering tighter monitoring of online payments, including cryptocurrency and international gateways, which gambling apps use to bypass restrictions.
Cybersecurity experts argue that banning apps alone is not enough. They recommend a three-step approach:
- Stricter monitoring of influencer content
- Collaboration with social media platforms to remove gambling promotions
- Public awareness campaigns to highlight the risks
A Growing National Crisis
The rise of gambling apps in Pakistan highlights a dangerous mix of weak regulation, economic desperation, and influencer culture. These apps thrive on exploiting young people’s dreams of quick money while quietly draining their finances and damaging their mental health.
Without urgent government action, experts warn the country could face a generation trapped in cycles of debt and addiction.
Conclusion
The investigation into World 777 is more than just a case study—it’s a warning. Gambling apps in Pakistan are not only illegal but deeply harmful. By using influencers to promote betting as entertainment, they are creating a silent crisis that threatens both financial security and social well-being.
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Unless authorities, platforms, and the public work together, gambling apps in Pakistan will continue to exploit the nation’s youth, leaving behind a trail of broken finances and broken lives.
