Enforcement Directorate Summons Yuvraj Singh and Robin Uthappa for Promoting an Illegal Betting App

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The ED (Enforcement Directorate) previously questioned Suresh Raina and Shikhar Dhawan during its money laundering probe and has now summoned Yuvraj Singh and Robin Uthappa to investigate their association with the illegal betting app, 1xBet.

1xBet is one of the largest betting companies in the world, operating since 2007. It offers bets on numerous sporting events through its app and website. The platform also supports more than 70 languages.


ED Probes Further Into Money Laundering Case

On Tuesday, the officials said that betting apps like this use multiple platforms for surrogate advertisements and collect funds from users. Yuvraj has been ordered to present himself on 23 September, while Uthappa is summoned on 22 September.

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Apart from this, the agency interrogated TMP MP and Mimi Chakraborty on Monday. Ankush Hazra, a Bengali actor, also appeared in front of the officials, while Urvashi Rautela, who is renowned as the brand ambassador of 1xBet, has yet to appear despite being summoned.

The Enforcement Directorate is actively conducting investigations, as many investors have accused these betting apps of duping them out of their money and avoiding huge taxes.

ED Interrogated Suresh Raina and Shikhar Dhawan Earlier

Before summoning Yuvraj and Uthappa, the ED questioned Suresh Raina and Shikhar Dhawan. Raina appeared before the officials on 13 August, while Dhawan appeared on 4 September.

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The agency is figuring out the endorsement fees the platforms have offered and how they communicate with each other. ED also called Google and Meta in July and questioned them about these betting apps.

In 2023, the government issued four advisories to various types of online platforms, such as broadcast news, newspapers, social media platforms, and websites that offer current affairs content, entertainment channels, and publishers of online news, not to promote any online betting apps. Additionally, several online platforms that have been hosting illegal betting apps and sharing gambling app links are also under the radar and will soon be summoned.