Former Indian cricketer Yuvraj Singh has come under the scanner of the Enforcement Directorate (ED) as part of its expanding probe into the operations of the controversial betting platform 1xBet. On Tuesday, Yuvraj appeared before the agency to record his statement regarding his alleged involvement in promotional activities connected with the platform, which has long been accused of flouting Indian laws. Officials noted that the cricket icon arrived nearly an hour later than his scheduled time, underscoring the seriousness with which the central agency is pursuing every angle of its investigation. His questioning forms part of a larger inquiry into suspected violations under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA).
The betting app 1xBet has been under the ED’s scrutiny for several months now, primarily for suspected money laundering and unlawful financial practices. The platform’s presence in India has raised concerns over how celebrities and sports personalities might have inadvertently, or perhaps knowingly, lent credibility to its activities by promoting it to a massive public audience. The ED is carefully examining the extent of their association and whether such endorsements were in violation of financial laws. For Yuvraj, this marks an uncomfortable episode, as his stature as a celebrated sportsman contrasts sharply with the allegations tied to this ongoing probe.
Yuvraj Singh is not the only sporting figure to be questioned in this case. Alongside him, another former cricketer, Robin Uthappa, was also summoned earlier in September for interrogation under the same provisions of the PMLA. The agency has widened its net, pulling in not just cricketers but also actors, influencers, and business figures. Businessman Anvesh Jain appeared before the agency on the same day as Yuvraj, indicating that the ED is investigating multiple layers of promotional, financial, and business connections surrounding the app. The probe reflects the agency’s intent to establish whether there was a pattern of deliberate involvement by public figures or if they were unwitting participants in an illegal financial chain.
The list of personalities questioned so far reads like a roll call of some of India’s most well-known celebrities. Former cricketers Suresh Raina and Shikhar Dhawan, both household names in Indian cricket, have been summoned previously in relation to 1xBet. Popular faces from the entertainment industry, including actor Anjali Arora, Trinamool Congress MP and actor Mimi Chakraborty, and actor Ankush Hazara, have also been brought in for questioning. The ED’s interest in such a wide circle of influencers highlights how deep-rooted the promotional ecosystem of the betting app might be.
Meanwhile, the agency’s summons have not always been met with compliance. Actor Urvashi Rautela, who was called in earlier this month, failed to appear, raising questions about possible non-cooperation. Actor Sonu Sood, on the other hand, has been directed to present himself before the ED on Wednesday. Each of these instances adds to the mounting intrigue around the case, which seems poised to expose the intersections of celebrity culture, commercial endorsements, and the shadowy world of illegal online betting.
At the core of the ED’s inquiry is a crucial question: did the celebrities and cricketers knowingly promote a platform tied to unlawful financial activities, or were they misled into doing so under the guise of legitimate brand deals? The distinction is critical, as the answer will determine whether their actions fall within the ambit of money laundering offences under the PMLA. Regardless of intent, the case already casts a shadow on the credibility of celebrity endorsements in India, revealing how easily public trust can be leveraged in ways that may undermine legal and financial integrity.
