Sonu Sood Questioned by ED in High-Profile 1xBet Money-Laundering Case
Actor questioned by ED in 1xBet money-laundering probe.
Bollywood star Sonu Sood faced intense scrutiny as he appeared before the Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Wednesday in a high-profile money-laundering case tied to the online betting app 1xBet. The 52-year-old actor arrived at the ED’s central Delhi office around noon, where officials began questioning him to uncover details of his alleged involvement with the controversial platform.
The ED is investigating 1xBet, a Curacao-registered betting giant, for allegedly defrauding users out of crores and evading massive tax liabilities. The probe has already drawn in prominent figures, including cricketers Suresh Raina, Shikhar Dhawan, Robin Uthappa, and Yuvraj Singh, as well as TMC MP-turned-actor Mimi Chakraborty and Bengali star Ankush Hazra. Several social media influencers have also been questioned, with more celebrities expected to face summons soon.
Sources reveal the ED is digging into how 1xBet recruited celebrities for endorsements, focusing on the nodal contacts in India, payment methods—whether through hawala or banking channels—and whether payments were made domestically or abroad. The agency is also probing whether the stars were aware that online betting is illegal in India, demanding copies of their contracts and communications with 1xBet. The investigation aims to determine if the funds earned by these celebrities qualify as “proceeds of crime” under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA).
Also Read: ED Arrests Former Congress MP Kuldeep Rai Sharma in ₹500 crore Fraud
The ED is reportedly preparing to seize assets linked to individuals profiting from 1xBet’s promotional activities and plans to file a chargesheet in court soon. Before the Indian government banned real-money online gaming, the online betting market was valued at over USD 100 billion, growing at a staggering 30% annually, with around 22 crore users, half of whom were regular bettors.
The government has intensified its crackdown, issuing 1,524 orders to block betting and gambling platforms between 2022 and June 2025. The ED’s “focused strategies” signal a broader push to dismantle financial networks tied to illegal betting, putting the spotlight on celebrities and influencers entangled in these schemes.
Also Read: Andhra Pradesh Liquor Scam Triggers ED Raids Across Five States
