The rift of the Enforcement Directorate on illegal betting apps has widen its net, which is drawing from both cricket and Bollywood into some of India’s biggest names. Along with actor Sonu Sood Cricketers Yuvraj Singh and Robin Uthappa, the latest celebrities are called to question their alleged links for legendary 1xbet and other similar platforms.
Sonu Sood, Yuvraj Singh, Robin Uthappa under ads scanner in illegal betting app investigation
According to ED sources, Uthappa is going to be released on Monday, Yuvraj Singh on Tuesday and Sonu Sood on Wednesday. He is included in an extended list of public figures including former cricketers Shikhar Dhawan, Suresh Raina, and Harbhajan Singh, as well as actors Urvashi Rautela, Rana Daggubati, Prakash Raj, Laxmi Manchu and Trinmool MP Mimi Chakraerborty.
The center of this dispute is 1xbet, an offshore forum banned by the Government of India in 2023 for the explosion of gambling laws. While the company and its avatars-Once reproduced as 1xbat or similar names-is claimed to run “skill-based gaming”, investigation found that the rigged algorithm is found to ensure that the players lost more often than winning, giving them gambling under Indian law.
Despite the ban, 1xbet maintained a strong presence in India, thanks to the aggressive marketing campaigns characterized by high-profile celebrities. More than Rs. 50 crore rupees were spent on advertising through media outlets and social media platforms. The app also switched names to dodge the shutdown, while foreign based operators took advantage of Lux gambling laws in other countries.
For famous celebrities, the main question of ED is simple: Did he deliberately support an illegal enterprise? The agency is investigating whether the actors and players knew that such apps were banned, and whether they revealed the income earned from publicity deals. For example, former cricketer Shikhar Dhawan was grilled in Delhi for more than eight hours last week.
The investigation is not limited to famous celebrities. Tech giants Google and Meta have also come under investigation to host and promote the advertisements of betting app on their platforms. ED officials recorded the statement of a Google representative in July, while Meta has allegedly increased cooperation.
The bets are very high – the estimate of sources more than 22 crore Indians have downloaded or accessed the betting app, making it Rs. 8.3 lakh crore industries which is almost Rs. Robs the government. 27,000 crores annually in taxes. With new promotion and regulation of online gaming law this year, authorities are indicating a difficult stance on addiction, fraud and celebrity-supported support.
For now, all eyes are on talented stars of Bollywood and cricket, as they prepare to answer difficult questions about their association with apps that may have cheated millions of Indians.
Read: Urvashi Rautela, Sonu Sood interrogated ED in online betting app investigation; Yuvraj Singh, Rana Daggubati also under scanner: reports
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(Tagstotransite) Cricket (T) Ed (T) Enforcement Directorate (T) Gambling (T) Illegal Betting (T) Illegal Betting App (T) Robin Uthappa (T) Sonu Sood (T) Sonu Sood (T) Sports (T) Yuvraj Singh
