The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has sent shockwaves through the entertainment industry by summoning former Trinamool Congress MP and actress Mimi Chakraborty and Bollywood star Urvashi Rautela in a high-profile money-laundering investigation linked to the illegal betting app 1xBet. Official sources revealed that Chakraborty is scheduled to appear at the ED’s Delhi headquarters on Monday, while Rautela has been called for questioning on Tuesday, intensifying scrutiny on celebrity involvement in illicit online gaming platforms.
The probe, which has already ensnared prominent sports figures, saw former Indian cricketer Shikhar Dhawan grilled for eight hours on September 4, following similar questioning of ex-cricketer Suresh Raina in August. The ED is investigating a web of illegal betting apps accused of defrauding millions of users and investors out of crores of rupees while evading substantial tax obligations. These platforms, including 1xBet, are alleged to have exploited lax regulations to amass illicit wealth, prompting a robust crackdown by the agency.
India’s online betting market, valued at over USD 100 billion and growing at a staggering 30% annually, has an estimated 22 crore users, with 11 crore engaging regularly, according to market analysis firms. The scale of the issue has led the Union government to enact stringent legislation banning real-money online gaming, alongside issuing 1,524 orders between 2022 and June 2025 to block such platforms, as reported to Parliament.
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The summoning of high-profile figures like Chakraborty and Rautela underscores the ED’s determination to unravel the financial networks behind these apps, which are believed to involve complex money-laundering schemes. Sources indicate that the celebrities may have been associated with promotional activities for 1xBet, raising questions about endorsements in unregulated sectors. The investigation is exploring whether these apps funneled illicit funds through layered transactions, impacting both investors and the national exchequer.
As the ED digs deeper, the case highlights the darker side of India’s booming digital economy, where unchecked growth in online betting has fueled financial crimes. With public and political pressure mounting, the government’s aggressive measures signal a broader push to regulate the online gaming industry. The outcome of this probe could reshape celebrity endorsements and set a precedent for accountability in India’s rapidly evolving digital landscape.
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