Actor Urvashi Rautela appeared before the Enforcement Directorate in New Delhi on Tuesday for questioning in connection with the ongoing probe into the illegal betting app 1xBet.
The app, which is banned in India, has been under investigation for alleged violations of gaming and financial laws.
ED Focus On Celebrity Endorsements
The ED is examining possible money laundering and promotional activities linked to the platform, which allegedly operated in India through surrogate websites and offshore entities. Officials suspect that certain celebrities may have indirectly endorsed 1xBet, thereby giving it legitimacy among Indian users.
As part of the probe, the ED recently summoned former Indian cricketers Yuvraj Singh (September 23) and Robin Uthappa (September 22), as well as Bollywood actor Sonu Sood (September 24). All three were directed to appear before investigators at the agency’s Delhi headquarters.
Alleged Violations
Authorities allege that 1xBet was engaged in illegal betting, money laundering, tax evasion, and algorithm manipulation to deceive users. The Central Bureau of Investigation registered a case against the operators of the app for targeting Indian users, after which the ED launched its money laundering investigation under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA).
The platform has been under scrutiny for several years, with multiple agencies flagging its operations as unlawful in India.
Celebrities Under Scanner
This is not the first time public figures have faced ED questioning in connection with offshore betting platforms. In earlier rounds of investigation, the agency had summoned cricketers Shikhar Dhawan and Suresh Raina, along with several actors and social media influencers, for their promotional links to illegal gaming websites.
The broader investigation aims to establish financial trails, identify surrogate promotional campaigns, and determine whether celebrities knowingly or unknowingly facilitated the app’s outreach in India.
Wider Crackdown On Betting Apps
The ED’s probe into 1xBet is part of a larger nationwide crackdown on illegal betting platforms. Just last month, the agency carried out multi-state searches in a separate investigation against another online betting app, seizing digital records and financial documents.
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