New Delhi: The Enforcement Directorate (ED) summoned former Indian cricketer Shikhar Dhawan on Thursday for questioning in a money laundering investigation tied to the illegal betting app 1xBet, sources told PTI. The agency aims to record Dhawan’s statement under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) to clarify his alleged involvement through endorsements.
The 39-year-old retired opener is believed to have promoted the app, and the ED is keen to explore the nature of his association. This probe is part of a broader crackdown on illegal betting platforms accused of defrauding users and evading significant taxes, costing crores of rupees.
Suresh Raina Also Questioned
Last month, the ED interrogated another former Indian cricketer, Suresh Raina, for over eight hours in connection with the same 1xBet investigation. Raina, 38, who represented India in 18 Tests, 226 ODIs, and 78 T20Is, was also linked to the app through endorsements, sources confirmed to PTI. His statement was recorded under the PMLA.
The agency has widened its scrutiny, recently summoning representatives from Google and Meta for questioning. Additionally, on Tuesday, the ED conducted multi-state searches related to another betting app, Parimatch, as part of its ongoing investigations.
Scale of the Issue
Market analysis and investigative reports estimate that around 22 crore Indians use various online betting apps, with approximately 11 crore being frequent users. The Indian online betting market, valued at over USD 100 billion, is growing at a 30% annual rate, according to industry experts.
The Union government has recently introduced legislation banning real-money online gaming to curb these illegal activities. The ED’s investigations highlight the scale of financial misconduct, with apps like 1xBet allegedly defrauding users and bypassing substantial tax obligations.