The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has summoned several celebrities in connection with its ongoing investigation into the alleged illegal betting app 1xBet. Officials confirmed on Tuesday that the trio have been asked to record their statements under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) next week.
The summons form part of a widening probe into financial transactions linked to the controversial platform.
Wider celebrity involvement
Robin Uthappa (39) has been directed to appear on 22 September, Yuvraj Singh (43) on 23 September, and Sonu Sood (52) the following day. The ED has already questioned former cricketers former cricketers Shikhar Dhawan and Suresh Raina, as well as former TMC MP and actor Mimi Chakraborty, who deposed on Monday. Bengali actor Ankush Hazra complied with a summons on Tuesday, while actress Urvashi Rautela, the brand ambassador of 1xBet in India, has yet to appear. Actor Sonu Sood has also been summoned.
According to sources, actors Rana Daggubati, Vijay Deverakonda, Prakash Raj and Manchu Lakshmi have also been linked to the case, with investigators seeking clarity on their roles in promoting the platform.
Allegations against 1xBet
The case revolves around allegations that 1xBet, an international betting company founded in 2007, illegally lured Indian users into betting through its app and website. Investigators claim the platform duped investors and evaded taxes amounting to crores of rupees.
While the company describes itself as a “globally recognised bookmaker” with operations in 70 languages, it does not hold an Indian licence to offer gambling services. Instead, it operates under a Curacao eGaming Commission licence, which does not provide legal cover in India.
Legal grey zone
India’s gambling laws remain fragmented, with regulation determined largely at the state level. States such as Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu and Assam have explicitly banned online betting, rendering platforms like 1xBet illegal in those regions. In contrast, Goa, Sikkim and Maharashtra allow certain regulated forms of gambling.
This patchwork of laws creates a grey area for international operators. Offshore platforms such as 1xBet often target Indian customers, exploiting the absence of uniform federal regulation.
Risks for Indian users
Legal experts caution that Indian users face significant risks when engaging with such platforms. Since they are not regulated domestically, users have little recourse in cases of fraud, non-payment or disputes. Indian banks also frequently block transactions linked to online betting, further complicating withdrawals.
Additionally, any winnings derived from betting are taxable under Indian law, making compliance a further challenge for users.
ED’s next steps
The ED is investigating whether celebrities knowingly promoted an unlicensed betting platform and if their endorsement payments were routed through suspicious financial channels. Officials have not ruled out further summons as the probe progresses.
As the investigation widens, the inclusion of prominent sports and film personalities is likely to draw greater attention to India’s unregulated betting industry and its entanglement with celebrity endorsements.