The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has stepped up its probe into an alleged illegal betting racket linked to the banned platform 1xBet. As part of the investigation, the agency has summoned former cricketers Yuvraj Singh and Robin Uthappa, along with Bollywood actor Sonu Sood, for questioning.
ED Summons Yuvraj Singh and Robin Uthappa
According to reports, Robin Uthappa has been asked to appear before the ED in New Delhi on September 22. Yuvraj Singh is scheduled for September 23, while Sonu Sood has been called on September 24. Officials want to record their statements to better understand how 1xBet functioned and whether celebrities had a role in promoting it.
What is 1xBet and what went wrong?
1xBet is a betting platform that claims to have almost two decades of experience. It offers bets on thousands of sports events in more than 70 languages. However, despite being banned in India, it has continued operating through websites hosted abroad and other hidden channels.
The ED suspects the platform has been dodging taxes, laundering money, and cheating users of crores of rupees for years by setting up fake businesses and using foreign websites. Several agencies had already raised red flags before the ED decided to launch its own investigation.
Why the celebrity link matters?
Investigators believe that celebrities may have helped boost the popularity of 1xBet by promoting it or making it look credible. If proven, this could amount to violations under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) and other financial laws. The involvement of Sonu Sood, Yuvraj Singh, and Robin Uthappa has drawn a lot of attention, sparking questions about how big names from sports and cinema are tied to illegal gambling activities.
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Not the first time celebrities questioned
This isn’t the first time celebrities have been called out over betting promotions. In the past, several cricketers, actors, and influencers have faced questioning for endorsing betting apps that are banned in India. Authorities believe such endorsements made these platforms seem trustworthy, which helped them attract more users while avoiding taxes.
CBI’s earlier case against 1xBet
Before the ED’s probe, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) had filed a case against 1xBet’s operators for deliberately targeting Indian users. That case set the stage for the ED to investigate the financial side, including possible money laundering.
Other names under the scanner
Alongside Yuvraj, Uthappa, and Sood, the ED is also examining the role of other celebrities. Bengali actor Ankush Hazra has been summoned, while Bollywood actress Urvashi Rautela was called but did not appear. Former cricketers Suresh Raina and Shikhar Dhawan have already recorded their statements in the same case.
The ED has said that further action will depend on the information and evidence gathered from these questioning sessions, as the wider investigation continues.
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