The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has summoned former India cricketer Shikhar Dhawan on Thursday for questioning in connection with a money laundering investigation linked to the illegal betting app 1xBet.
Questioned under Prevention of Money Laundering Act
This probe is part of the investigation into 1xBet, an illegal betting app, and Dhawan’s statement will be recorded under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA). He is believed to be connected with the app through certain endorsements, and the ED seeks clarity on these links.
Multiple Illegal Apps Under Probe
The ED is currently investigating several illegal apps like 1xBet, which have allegedly cheated Indian citizens of crores of rupees. Last month, the agency had questioned former cricketer Suresh Raina in the same case. The Union government has recently banned online betting activities and passed legislation to regulate them.
Suresh Raina Questioned Earlier
Raina was questioned for over eight hours last month under the PMLA in connection with 1xBet. He too is believed to have been associated with the app through endorsements. Raina has represented India in 18 Tests, 226 ODIs, and 78 T20Is.
USD 100 Billion Online Betting Market in India
In a related probe into another betting app, Parimatch, the ED conducted multi-state searches on Tuesday. According to estimates, about 22 crore Indians use online betting apps, with nearly 11 crore being regular users. Experts value India’s online betting market at over USD 100 billion, growing at a rapid pace.