Bollywood Star Urvashi Rautela Summoned in 1xBet Probe
Actor questioned by ED in illegal online betting probe.
The Enforcement Directorate (ED) intensified its crackdown on illegal online betting and gaming platforms, summoning Bollywood actor and model Urvashi Rautela for questioning on Tuesday. The 31-year-old, known for her roles in films like Hate Story 4 and Pagalpanti, is under scrutiny for her role as the India ambassador for 1xBet, a Curacao-registered online betting platform implicated in a high-profile money laundering investigation.
The ED interrogated Rautela under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), focusing on her endorsement deal with 1xBet. Sources reveal that the agency is probing how celebrities like Rautela were roped into promoting the platform, which operates in a legal grey area in India. The investigation aims to uncover the financial trails, including how endorsement fees were paid—whether through cash, hawala networks, or banking channels—and whether payments were made in India or abroad.
Rautela isn’t the only celebrity in the ED’s crosshairs. Cricket icons Yuvraj Singh, Suresh Raina, Robin Uthappa, and Shikhar Dhawan have also been questioned, alongside actors Sonu Sood, former TMC MP Mimi Chakraborty, and Bengali cinema star Ankush Hazra. Several online influencers have faced similar scrutiny. The agency’s probe has revealed that some celebrities used their endorsement earnings to acquire assets, which the ED now classifies as "proceeds of crime" under anti-money laundering laws. Authorities are preparing to seize assets worth crores linked to these individuals.
Also Read: ED Summons Mimi Chakraborty, Urvashi Rautela in 1xBet Scam Probe
1xBet, which boasts 18 years in the global betting industry, offers betting on thousands of sporting events through its website and app, available in 70 languages. However, India’s recent ban on real-money online gaming has cast a shadow over such platforms, prompting the ED to dig deeper into their operations. The agency is particularly interested in how 1xBet approached celebrities for endorsements, who acted as intermediaries in India, and whether these personalities were aware that online betting is illegal in the country.
During questioning, the ED has reportedly asked celebrities to submit copies of their contracts with 1xBet, along with all related emails and documentation. Sources indicate that the agency is also examining whether these endorsements were part of a larger scheme to legitimize the platform’s operations in India.
Market estimates prior to the government’s ban suggested that India had around 22 crore users on various online betting apps, with half being regular bettors. The scale of the industry has raised alarms, pushing authorities to tighten regulations and pursue legal action against those promoting such platforms.
As the investigation unfolds, the involvement of high-profile celebrities like Rautela has sparked public intrigue, raising questions about the nexus between fame, finance, and illegal betting networks in India.
Also Read: ED Summons Mimi Chakraborty, Urvashi Rautela in 1xBet Scam Probe
