ED Summons Celebrities in Betting App Probe

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has summoned prominent Indian personalities, including former cricketers Yuvraj Singh and Robin Uthappa, and actor Sonu Sood, for questioning in an ongoing investigation into a massive money laundering and illegal online betting case. This move is part of a broader crackdown on platforms that have allegedly duped a large number of people of crores of rupees. The case, primarily linked to platforms like 1xBet, has seen a growing list of celebrities come under the scanner for endorsing these illicit applications.

The Case Against the Apps

The ED’s investigation focuses on several illegal betting applications, with a significant part of the probe centered on the operations of 1xBet. These platforms are accused of facilitating illegal gambling and using a complex network of financial transactions to launder illicit funds. The apps, which often operate from offshore locations and frequently change their names to evade authorities, are alleged to have generated staggering amounts of money.

Authorities suspect that these apps, while masquerading as “skill-based” gaming platforms, use rigged algorithms to operate as a gambling enterprise, which is illegal under Indian law. The ED is looking into alleged violations of various acts, including the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) and the Information Technology Act.

Why Are Celebrities Being Summoned?

The summoning of high-profile celebrities like Yuvraj Singh, Robin Uthappa, and Sonu Sood is to investigate their role in promoting these platforms. The Enforcement Directorate is questioning them to understand the nature of their endorsement agreements, including the fees they received and whether they were aware that the apps they were promoting were operating illegally in India.

This is not the first time a celebrity has been called in for questioning. Other prominent names, including cricketers Suresh Raina and Shikhar Dhawan, and actors like Mimi Chakraborty and Urvashi Rautela, have also been part of the investigation. The probe aims to determine if these celebrity endorsements, which lent credibility and visibility to the apps, were a key factor in misleading the public. The government had previously issued advisories to media houses and social media platforms against advertising such platforms, highlighting the legal and ethical concerns.

The Mahadev Betting App Connection

While Yuvraj Singh, Robin Uthappa, and Sonu Sood are specifically being questioned in the 1xBet case, it is part of a larger, country-wide crackdown that has also involved the infamous Mahadev Betting App case. The Mahadev case, which is being probed by multiple agencies including the ED and CBI, is a high-profile scandal involving an alleged scam worth thousands of crores. The founders of the Mahadev app, who were based in Dubai, reportedly used their ill-gotten wealth to fund a lavish wedding in the UAE, which first brought them under the radar of law enforcement. The investigation into the Mahadev app has also roped in several Bollywood actors and political figures.

The summoning of these celebrities, therefore, underscores the government’s resolve to dismantle the entire ecosystem of illegal betting—from the app operators to the promoters who help them reach a wider audience. The investigations are ongoing, and the statements recorded from these public figures will be crucial in piecing together the financial and promotional networks of these illicit platforms.