The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has taken a major step in its investigation into the illegal betting app 1xBet, attaching assets worth ₹7.93 crore linked to prominent personalities, including former cricketers Yuvraj Singh and Robin Uthappa, and actors Sonu Sood, Urvashi Rautela, Neha Sharma, and others.
The move comes as the money laundering case surrounding the Curaçao-based betting platform—estimated to involve over ₹1,000 crore—continues to expand.
Assets Seized Under PMLA
Sources indicate that the ED has provisionally attached assets worth ₹2.5 crore belonging to Yuvraj Singh, ₹1 crore of Sonu Sood, and ₹59 lakh of TMC MP and actress Mimi Chakraborty under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA).
The properties are alleged to be “proceeds of crime”, purchased using endorsement fees paid by 1xBet, which reportedly operated illegal betting through thousands of fake accounts. Earlier, assets worth ₹11.19 crore linked to Shikhar Dhawan and Suresh Raina were also attached, bringing the total amount involved to ₹19.07 crore.
Celebrity Endorsements Under Scrutiny
The investigation has focused heavily on celebrity endorsements, with Rautela and other figures summoned for questioning. The ED has alleged that the payments were routed through foreign entities to conceal illicit earnings, suggesting that the celebrities promoted the banned platform knowingly.
The scandal has put the spotlight on the social responsibility of public figures, as reputations of Indian sports and entertainment personalities come under scrutiny.
Ongoing Investigation
The ED continues to unravel the network of the illegal betting app, and more attachments and summons are expected as the probe deepens. Authorities have warned that celebrity endorsements of illegal platforms can carry serious legal and financial consequences, reinforcing the need for due diligence in public promotions.