India questions former cricketer over online betting case
Celebrity endorsements under scrutiny as investigators probe betting app’s links to illegal transactions.
Key points:
– Former cricketer Robin Uthappa questioned for eight hours
– Focus on payments, endorsements and potential proceeds of crime
– ED widens investigation into 1xBet
The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has recorded the statement of former Indian cricketer Robin Uthappa in connection with a money laundering case linked to online betting platform 1xBet. Uthappa spent over eight hours at the ED’s office in Bengaluru as part of the investigation under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA).
As reported by Deccan Herald, the ED is examining whether celebrities who endorsed the platform received payments that could be classified as proceeds of crime. Officials said the probe involves determining the nature of the contracts, the mode of payment and whether the personalities involved were aware of the illegality of online betting in India.
The case has widened in recent weeks with several public figures summoned or questioned, including cricketers Suresh Raina and Shikhar Dhawan, as well as film personalities such as Mimi Chakraborty and Ankush Hazra. Actor Sonu Sood and former cricketer Yuvraj Singh are expected to appear before the agency this week.
According to sources, the agency is particularly interested in whether the payments were made through banking channels or via illegal routes such as hawala. They have asked the celebrities to submit contracts and communication records with the betting firm.
Good to know: The Indian Government has issued 1,524 blocking orders for online gambling platforms from 2022 to June 2025
1xBet has been accused in India of bypassing regulations and evading taxes. The Central Government has recently enacted legislation banning real-money online gaming, citing links to addiction, fraud and financial crimes.
Estimates suggest India’s online betting market was worth over $100bn prior to the ban, with over 220 million users, half of whom were regular players. The ED has since adopted focused strategies to investigate financial crimes emerging from the online gambling space.
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