The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has provisionally attached movable and immovable assets worth Rs 7.93 crore belonging to several well-known celebrities in connection with an alleged illegal betting racket linked to offshore platform 1xBet, as ED attaches Rs 7.93 crore assets in 1xBet case.
The celebrities named in the action include former Indian cricketers Yuvraj Singh and Robin Uthappa, along with actors Sonu Sood, Urvashi Rautela, Mimi Chakraborty, Ankush Hazra and Neha Sharma. The attachment has been made under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), 2002.
Why the ED initiated action
According to officials, the investigation is centred on illegal offshore betting platform 1xBet and its surrogate brands such as 1xBat and 1xBat Sporting Lines. The probe began after multiple FIRs were registered by state police agencies, alleging that the platform promoted and facilitated online betting and gambling activities that are illegal in several Indian states.
Investigators stated that ED attaches Rs 7.93 crore assets in 1xBet case after finding that the platform operated in India without authorisation while using surrogate branding to evade regulatory oversight. The betting platform allegedly targeted Indian users through aggressive social media campaigns, online videos and print advertisements.
Endorsement deals under scrutiny
The ED has alleged that the celebrities knowingly entered into endorsement agreements with foreign entities connected to 1xBet and its surrogate brands. These agreements reportedly involved payments routed through overseas entities to conceal the origin of funds.
As ED attaches Rs 7.93 crore assets in 1xBet case, investigators also claim that the endorsement fees were structured through layered financial transactions involving foreign intermediaries. This structure, according to the agency, was used to disguise proceeds of crime generated from illegal betting operations and avoid detection by Indian authorities.
Previous attachments in the case
This is not the first attachment made by the ED in the ongoing investigation. On October 6, 2025, the agency had attached assets worth Rs 11.14 crore belonging to cricketers Shikhar Dhawan and Suresh Raina for their alleged role in promoting the same illegal betting platform.
With ED attaches Rs 7.93 crore assets in 1xBet case, the agency has reiterated its warning against celebrity-backed promotion of unauthorised online betting platforms in India.
FAQs
Q: Why did the ED attach assets worth Rs 7.93 crore in the 1xBet case?
A: ED attaches Rs 7.93 crore assets in 1xBet case after tracing celebrity endorsement payments to proceeds generated from illegal betting activities.
Q: Which celebrities are named in the ED’s 1xBet investigation?
A: The celebrities include Yuvraj Singh, Robin Uthappa, Sonu Sood, Urvashi Rautela, Mimi Chakraborty, Ankush Hazra and Neha Sharma.
Q: Is promoting online betting illegal in India?
A: In many Indian states, online betting and gambling are illegal, and promoting such platforms can attract legal action.
Q: Has the ED taken similar action earlier in this case?
A: Yes, earlier ED attachments involved assets worth Rs 11.14 crore linked to Shikhar Dhawan and Suresh Raina.
