Yuvraj Singh, Robin Uthappa, Sonu Sood Summoned: Betting App Case Explained
Cricketers Robin Uthappa and Yuvraj Singh and actor Sonu Sood are on a growing list of celebrities to be probed by federal officials over the endorsement of illegal betting apps and, in Mr Uthappa's case, the alleged violation of money-laundering
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New Delhi:
Former cricketers Yuvraj Singh and Robin Uthappa, along with actor Sonu Sood, have been added to an expanding list of celebrities under investigation for promoting illegal betting applications. The Enforcement Directorate has summoned all three for questioning next week - Uthappa on Monday, Singh on Tuesday, and Sood on Wednesday. In Uthappa's case, alleged money-laundering violations are also being examined.
These celebrities join ex-cricketers Shikhar Dhawan and Suresh Raina, actress Urvashi Rautela, and Trinamool MP Mimi Chakraborty, all of whom are being questioned in the ED's investigation into money-laundering and tax evasion activities connected to the 1xBet application. This betting platform frequently advertised during cricket match broadcasts.
The ED's investigation encompasses multiple betting platforms and examines how celebrities may have knowingly or unknowingly promoted schemes that the government claims have defrauded users of crores of rupees.
Ms. Rautela, reportedly serving as 1xBet's 'India ambassador,' is scheduled to appear Tuesday, alongside Bengali actor Ankush Hazra. The agency recorded Mimi Chakraborty's statement on Monday.
Last week, Shikhar Dhawan underwent over eight hours of questioning at the ED's Delhi office, with his statement recorded under the stringent Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA). Suresh Raina was questioned in early August regarding his promotional role for 1xBet and details about monetary transactions, including any fees received. Former cricketer Harbhajan Singh was similarly questioned in June.
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This inquiry forms part of broader investigations into various betting platforms including Junglee Rummy, JeetWin, and Lotus365, along with their celebrity endorsers. Actors Rana Daggubati, Prakash Raj, and Lakshmi Manchu have all appeared for questioning in related cases.
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Sources indicate that investigators consistently ask celebrities whether they knew that betting applications like 1xBet - which frequently rebrand to avoid shutdown - are illegal under Indian law. In 2023, the Information and Broadcasting Ministry issued advisories prohibiting media outlets and online publishers from advertising such applications.
The 1xBet case centers on platforms claiming to host skill-based games while allegedly using rigged algorithms, effectively making them gambling enterprises under Indian law. Investigations have revealed violations of multiple regulations including the Information Technology Act, Foreign Exchange Management Act, and PMLA. Media outlets are also under scrutiny, with sources indicating over Rs 50 crore was spent on advertising campaigns.
The government banned 1xBet and similar offshore betting apps in its 2023 advisory, blocking access within India under Section 69A of the IT Act. However, users have circumvented these restrictions through encrypted messaging apps and VPN services. Celebrity endorsements ensured 1xBet maintained brand recognition despite these bans.
These applications frequently change names to evade authorities, and their operators are typically based abroad in jurisdictions with permissive gambling laws, complicating enforcement efforts by Indian agencies.
Social media giants Meta (Facebook/Instagram) and Google are also under investigation for potentially promoting betting applications. In July, ED officials recorded statements from Google's India representatives, while Meta is reportedly cooperating with the investigation. Authorities are examining whether these platforms deliberately promoted betting apps and profited from related advertisements.
Sources told NDTV that approximately 22 crore people across India have downloaded these applications or visited their websites, with at least half being daily users. This market reportedly values at Rs 8.3 lakh crore and grows at 30% annually.
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Furthermore, these betting applications reportedly cost the government Rs 27,000 crore in annual tax revenue losses.
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Addressing both financial losses and mental health concerns, the Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming law was enacted this year. It addresses addiction risks, fraud by game operators, and inconsistencies in state gambling laws, proposing stricter oversight of gaming platforms, particularly those offering real-money games like poker.
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