ED Summons Shikhar Dhawan in 1xBet Money Laundering Probe Tied to Illegal Online Betting Apps

Former Indian cricketer Shikhar Dhawan has been summoned by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) for questioning in connection with a money laundering investigation linked to the illegal betting platform, 1xBet.

Shikhar Dhawan Summoned By ED

According to officials, the ED is seeking to record Dhawan's statement under the provisions of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) to examine any possible association he may have had with the app, particularly through promotional endorsements.

The probe is part of a larger crackdown on illicit online betting networks, which have been under the ED's radar for allegedly defrauding thousands of Indian citizens and evading massive amounts in taxes. Authorities believe that platforms like 1xBet and others have been operating illegal betting operations disguised under the garb of online gaming, luring users with quick financial gains while bypassing regulatory frameworks.

Suresh Raina Also Questioned

Dhawan is not the only high-profile cricketer to be linked to the ongoing investigation. Just last month, former Indian batsman Suresh Raina was questioned by the ED for over eight hours regarding his alleged connections with the same platform. Raina, who represented India in 18 Test matches, 226 One-Day Internationals (ODIs), and 78 T20 Internationals, reportedly had associations with 1xBet through endorsement deals. His statement was also recorded under the PMLA.

Tech Giants Also Under Scanner

The ED has also summoned representatives from global tech giants Google and Meta (formerly Facebook), as these platforms are believed to have hosted or permitted advertising content related to these illegal betting apps. The agency is investigating whether these companies inadvertently or negligently facilitated the spread and popularity of unregulated betting platforms.

Nationwide Raids and Parallel Investigations

The investigation has widened in scope with multi-state searches conducted in connection with another betting platform, Parimatch. These raids aim to unearth the operational structure of these apps, the flow of illicit funds, and the network of individuals and entities involved in promoting or benefiting from them.