Shikhar Dhawan Summoned by ED in Illegal Betting App Case

New Delhi: The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has summoned former Indian cricketer Shikhar Dhawan in connection with a money laundering probe linked to the illegal betting app 1xBet. Officials confirmed that Dhawan will be questioned under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) to determine his association with the platform.

ED Probe into Illegal Betting Apps

According to investigators, Dhawan is believed to have been connected to the app through certain endorsements. The ED intends to examine the nature of his involvement and possible financial links.

This development comes as part of a larger investigation into several illegal betting platforms that allegedly duped thousands of people, evaded taxes, and operated under surrogate advertising campaigns.

Other Cricketers and Celebrities Under Scanner

• Dhawan is not the first high-profile name to face questioning.
• In June 2025, the ED questioned former cricketers Harbhajan Singh and Yuvraj Singh, along with Bollywood actors Sonu Sood and Urvashi Rautela, in similar cases.
• Last month, former cricketer Suresh Raina was also questioned by the agency.

These platforms, including 1xBet, FairPlay, Parimatch, and Lotus365, often disguised themselves as skill-based gaming apps while allegedly running rigged, chance-based betting operations.

Government Crackdown

The Centre has intensified its crackdown on online betting and gambling:

• From 2022 to June 2025, over 1,524 illegal betting platforms were blocked.
• New legislation recently banned real-money online gaming in India.
• Despite these measures, reports estimate that around 220 million Indians still use betting apps, with the market valued at over $100 billion, growing at nearly 30% annually.

Why This Matters

The summoning of a popular cricketer like Dhawan highlights the deep nexus between sports endorsements and illegal betting platforms. It also raises questions about the role of celebrities in promoting apps that may exploit users through unlawful practices.