https://www.indianwitness.com/news/crime/ed-questions-robin-uthappa-over-online-betting

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) interrogated former Indian cricketer Robin Uthappa for over eight hours on Monday, recording his statement in a money laundering investigation linked to the online betting app 1xBet. Uthappa, 39, arrived at the ED’s Delhi office around 11 a.m. and left at 7:30 p.m., answering questions under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA). The probe targets allegations that 1xBet and similar platforms defrauded users of crores of rupees while evading significant taxes, spotlighting the role of celebrity endorsements in promoting such apps.

The ED has also summoned other prominent figures, including former cricketers Suresh Raina and Shikhar Dhawan, as well as former TMC MP Mimi Chakraborty and Bengali actor Ankush Hazra, in recent weeks. Former cricketer Yuvraj Singh and actor Sonu Sood are slated to appear on Tuesday and Wednesday, respectively.

The agency is scrutinizing how celebrities were approached by 1xBet, focusing on contact persons in India, payment methods—whether through banking channels or illicit means like hawala—and whether endorsers knew online betting is illegal in India. The ED is also examining if payments received qualify as “proceeds of crime” under PMLA, with celebrities required to submit contracts and related documentation.

1xBet, registered in Curacao, claims to be a globally recognized bookmaker with 18 years in the industry, offering betting on thousands of sporting events in 70 languages. Before the Indian government’s recent ban on real-money online gaming, the online betting market was valued at over $100 billion, with approximately 22 crore users, half of whom were regular bettors, according to market estimates. The government has blocked 1,524 such platforms between 2022 and June 2025, reflecting a crackdown on illegal betting operations.

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The ED’s investigation, intensified after a national meeting in Jammu and Kashmir, aims to curb financial crimes linked to online betting. Uthappa’s questioning underscores the agency’s focus on high-profile endorsers, raising questions about accountability in celebrity-driven promotions. As the probe widens, more sportspersons and influencers are expected to face scrutiny, signaling a robust effort to dismantle illicit financial networks in India’s betting industry.