The Enforcement Directorate has summoned actor Sonu Sood and cricketers Yuvraj Singh and Robin Uthappa for questioning regarding their potential involvement with an illegal betting app.
New Delhi, September 16 (ANI) — The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has summoned Bollywood actor Sonu Sood along with former Indian cricketers Yuvraj Singh and Robin Uthappa for questioning as part of an investigation into an alleged illegal betting application.
According to officials, Uthappa is scheduled to appear on September 22, Singh on September 23, and Sood on September 24, all at the ED headquarters in New Delhi.
The ED is currently examining potential financial connections and promotional activities linked to the platform known as 1xBet, which has faced scrutiny from multiple agencies for alleged violations of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) and other regulations.
Authorities suspect that certain celebrities may have indirectly promoted or endorsed the app, which is banned in India, thereby lending it a sense of legitimacy among users.
The investigation revolves around the platform’s operations within India, where it is suspected of engaging in money laundering, tax evasion, and manipulating its algorithms. This case has been under investigation for several years, with claims that the platform operated illegally in India through surrogate websites and offshore entities.
Previously, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) registered a case against the app’s operators for targeting Indian users, prompting the ED to launch its own money laundering investigation.
This is not the first instance of celebrities facing scrutiny in relation to betting and gaming applications. In the past, the ED has questioned various actors, cricketers, and influencers regarding their involvement in promoting offshore betting and gambling platforms that are prohibited under Indian law.
Officials emphasized that the summons for Uthappa, Singh, and Sood is part of the ongoing investigation, and further actions will depend on the results of their questioning and the analysis of financial trails.
Currently, the ED is also questioning Bengali cinema actor Ankush Hazra, who appeared before the agency following a summons. Additionally, Bollywood actress Urvashi Rautela was summoned for questioning but did not appear.
The broader investigation targets various celebrities and influencers who may have promoted these platforms, which are suspected of tax evasion and defrauding investors. Other actors and cricketers have also been drawn into the inquiry.
Recently, the agency questioned actress and former TMC MP Mimi Chakrabarty for over six hours at its headquarters in connection with the case. Former cricketers Shikhar Dhawan and Suresh Raina have also been questioned by the ED.
This investigation is part of a larger effort to address illegal betting platforms. Last month, the ED conducted multi-state searches related to a similar inquiry involving an online betting app named Parimatch.
The agency is investigating multiple cases against illegal betting applications that are alleged to have defrauded numerous individuals and investors, amounting to crores of rupees, while also evading substantial tax obligations.
Market research agencies and investigative bodies estimate that nearly 220 million Indians use various online betting applications, with approximately half of them (around 110 million) being frequent users. Experts value India’s online betting market at over USD 100 billion, noting an annual growth rate of 30 percent.
Furthermore, the government informed Parliament that between 2022 and June 2025, it issued 1,524 directives aimed at blocking online betting and gambling platforms.
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