ED Summons Shikhar Dhawan
The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has issued summons to former India cricketer Shikhar Dhawan in connection with an ongoing money laundering probe. The ED summons Shikhar Dhawan after linking his name to endorsements tied with the illegal betting app 1xBet. He is set to record his statement under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) as part of the federal investigation.
Dhawan, 39, is understood to have promoted the platform through certain endorsements. With multiple celebrities under scrutiny for similar associations, this summons marks another high-profile step in the crackdown on betting-related money laundering. The case around 1xBet has already created ripples in the sporting and entertainment world.
Previous Questioning In The Case
The ED summons Shikhar Dhawan comes weeks after former cricketer Suresh Raina was questioned for nearly eight hours regarding his links with the same betting app. His statement was also recorded under the PMLA.
The ED’s investigation goes beyond individual celebrities. Representatives of tech giants Google and Meta were recently called in for questioning, while multi-state searches were conducted against another illegal betting app, Parimatch.
Illegal Betting Apps Under Scrutiny
The crackdown is significant because illegal betting apps like 1xBet and Parimatch have allegedly duped people of crores and evaded heavy taxes. According to market analysts, India has around 22 crore betting app users, with nearly half of them being regular players.
The industry is worth more than USD 100 billion and is growing by nearly 30 percent each year. This exponential growth has pushed the Union government to introduce stricter regulations, including a ban on real-money online gaming.
Why It Matters
The ED summons Shikhar Dhawan highlights how celebrity endorsements are increasingly being examined in betting probes. As online platforms continue to expand their reach, regulatory bodies are ensuring accountability from both companies and promoters.
FAQs
Q: Why did ED summons Shikhar Dhawan?
A: The ED summons Shikhar Dhawan in connection with his endorsements linked to the illegal betting app 1xBet.
Q: Is Shikhar Dhawan accused of betting himself?
A: No, he is being questioned about his promotional association with the platform.
Q: Who else has faced questioning in the 1xBet case?
A: Former cricketer Suresh Raina, as well as representatives from Google and Meta.
Q: How big is the illegal betting app market in India?
A: It is valued at over USD 100 billion with 22 crore users, growing at 30% annually.
