Former Indian cricket star Yuvraj Singh recently faced questioning from the Directorate of Enforcement (ED) in connection with a money laundering investigation involving the controversial online betting app, 1xBet. Officials confirmed that the all-rounder appeared at the agency’s central Delhi office for interrogation.
The ED recorded Singh’s statement under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) as part of their ongoing efforts to uncover the depths of this financial crime. This high-profile probe has also seen other prominent figures, including cricketers Suresh Raina, Shikhar Dhawan, and Robin Uthappa, as well as actors Mimi Chakraborty and Ankush Hazra, previously summoned for questioning.
Adding to the list, actor Sonu Sood has also been issued a summons by the ED for further inquiries into the same matter.
The agency’s extensive investigation into 1xBet targets a network of online betting platforms suspected of defrauding countless individuals of substantial sums and allegedly evading significant direct and indirect taxes.
1xBet, a company registered in Curacao, promotes itself as a globally recognized bookmaker with a long history in the betting industry. Its platform allows customers to wager on numerous sporting events and is accessible in over 70 languages.
Investigators are expected to question more athletes, film personalities, online influencers, and celebrities as the probe expands. A key focus of the ED’s inquiry is to understand how these celebrities were approached for endorsements, who acted as the main contact person in India, and the methods and locations of their payments—whether through legitimate banking channels or informal hawala transactions, domestically or internationally.
Furthermore, the ED is keen to ascertain if these public figures were aware of the illegality of online betting and gaming in India. They have been asked to provide copies of their contracts and all pertinent digital and paper correspondence related to their dealings with 1xBet.
The agency is also meticulously examining the ultimate use of the funds received by these celebrities, aiming to identify if any of the money constitutes “proceeds of crime” under the PMLA.
This crackdown follows the Union government’s recent legislative action to ban real-money online gaming across India.
During a recent national meeting, senior ED officials highlighted the importance of “focused strategies” to tackle financial crimes originating from the illegal betting and gaming sector.
Before the government ban, market analysis and investigative agencies estimated that India had approximately 220 million users of various online betting apps, with roughly half of them being regular participants. Experts had valued India’s online betting app market at over $100 billion, projecting a 30% annual growth rate.
In a statement to Parliament, the government revealed that it had issued 1,524 orders to block online betting and gambling platforms between 2022 and June 2025, underscoring the scale of the challenge.