Enforcement Directorate Summons Cricketer Shikhar Dhawan in Betting App Case
The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has summoned former Indian cricketer Shikhar Dhawan for questioning in a money laundering case linked to the illegal betting app 1xBet. The agency will record his statement under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA). Sources indicate Dhawan is being questioned over his association with the app through endorsements. The probe is part of a wider investigation into illegal betting platforms that have allegedly defrauded investors of crores and evaded significant taxes.
Unpacked:
Shikhar Dhawan is alleged to have been associated with 1xBet mainly through endorsements and promotional activities. The Enforcement Directorate is investigating whether these endorsements helped expand the app’s reach in India, where real-money betting is prohibited, and if any financial transactions linked to these endorsements violated anti-money laundering laws.
1xBet and similar betting apps are accused of operating illegally, duping users and investors of large sums, and evading substantial taxes. Authorities allege these platforms have facilitated illegal betting activities, which are banned in India, and violated various laws, including the Prevention of Money Laundering Act, the Information Technology Act, and the Foreign Exchange Management Act.
Yes, other notable figures such as former cricketer Suresh Raina and actor Rana Daggubati have also been questioned by the Enforcement Directorate regarding their alleged endorsements and associations with illegal betting apps like 1xBet as part of the same investigation.
The Indian government has tightened regulations on online gaming by banning real-money betting apps and introducing stricter laws to address illegal betting and money laundering. Enforcement agencies have intensified probes, questioned tech company representatives, and conducted searches across multiple states to curb such activities.