The Enforcement Directorate (ED) is set to attach assets worth several crores of rupees belonging to sportspersons and film actors under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) in connection with its ongoing probe into alleged illegal transactions linked to the online betting and gaming platform, 1xBet.
According to official sources, investigators have found that endorsement fees paid to certain celebrities by the portal were subsequently used to acquire properties and other assets, which the agency believes qualify as “proceeds of crime” under the anti-money laundering framework.
Assets Under Scrutiny
The ED is expected to soon issue a provisional attachment order for movable and immovable properties, including assets located abroad in jurisdictions such as the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Officials said that the quantification and valuation process of these properties is currently underway. Once the attachment order is issued, it will be placed before the Adjudicating Authority under the PMLA for confirmation. Following approval, a chargesheet will be filed in a special court, paving the way for potential confiscation of the attached assets.
Celebrities Questioned
Over the past several weeks, the agency has questioned a number of high-profile individuals from the sports and entertainment industries. Among those summoned and examined under Section 50 of the PMLA are cricketers Yuvraj Singh, Suresh Raina, Robin Uthappa, and Shikhar Dhawan, along with actors Sonu Sood, Mimi Chakraborty(former Trinamool Congress MP), and Ankush Hazra from Bengali cinema.
Some social media influencers were also brought in for questioning. The ED recorded their statements and collected bank account details, transaction records, and documents related to contracts with 1xBet.
Actor Urvashi Rautela, who was announced as the “India Ambassador” of 1xBet, was summoned by the agency but did not appear, citing her overseas travel commitments, according to sources.
Line of Investigation
Officials have been probing how these celebrities were first contacted by the betting company, the identity of intermediaries or nodal persons in India, the mode of payments—whether through regular banking channels or hawala networks—and the location where the payments were received. The ED has also pressed them on whether they were aware that promoting or associating with online betting platforms is illegal in India.
The celebrities were asked to furnish all contractual agreements, emails, and communication records with 1xBet to substantiate their claims.
Background of 1xBet
Registered in Curacao, 1xBet describes itself as a global bookmaker with nearly two decades of experience in the betting industry. Its website and app operate in over 70 languages and claim to cater to millions of customers across multiple markets. However, in India, real-money online gaming and betting were recently banned by the Union government through new legislation.
According to estimates by market research firms and law enforcement agencies prior to the ban, India had nearly 22 crore users of online betting platforms, with almost half of them being regular participants.
What Lies Ahead
The ED’s actions in the coming days are expected to intensify, with more statements from celebrities yet to be recorded. Once the attachment orders are confirmed, the case could lead to significant legal and financial consequences for those found to have benefitted from the betting platform’s payments.
Despite repeated queries, 1xBet has not responded to requests for comment regarding the ongoing investigation.
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