Robin Uthappa Appears Before ED In Online Betting Investigation

Former Indian cricketer Robin Uthappa appeared before the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in New Delhi on Monday for questioning in a money laundering investigation linked to the online betting platform 1xBet. The 39-year-old arrived at the agency’s office around 11 a.m. to record his statement under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), officials confirmed. The probe targets allegations of financial misconduct involving the betting app, which is accused of defrauding investors and evading significant taxes.

The ED’s investigation into 1xBet, a Curaçao-registered bookmaker operating globally for 18 years, is part of a broader crackdown on illegal online betting platforms in India. Uthappa is among several high-profile figures summoned, following interrogations of former cricketers Suresh Raina and Shikhar Dhawan, as well as former TMC MP Mimi Chakraborty and Bengali actor Ankush Hazra. Former cricketer Yuvraj Singh and actor Sonu Sood are scheduled to appear before the ED on Tuesday and Wednesday, respectively. The agency is examining how these celebrities were approached for endorsements, their payment methods, and whether they were aware that online betting is illegal in India.

Investigators are scrutinising endorsement contracts, payment channels (including cash, hawala, or banking), and the end use of funds to determine if any constitute "proceeds of crime" under the PMLA. The ED is also seeking copies of contracts and related documentation from those summoned. The probe follows a recent government ban on real-money online gaming, with 1,524 orders issued between 2022 and June 2025 to block such platforms, as reported to Parliament.

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The online betting market in India, estimated at over USD 100 billion with a 30% growth rate before the ban, had approximately 22 crore users, half of whom were regular bettors, according to market analysis. The ED has prioritised tackling financial crimes in this sector, with plans for focused strategies discussed at a recent meeting in Jammu and Kashmir.

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