Cricket Shockwave: ED Summoned Shikhar Dhawan in Betting Apps Investigation
The Enforcement Directorate has called former Indian cricketer Shikhar Dhawan to be questioned in relation to a money-laundering investigation involving illegal betting apps. The ED summoned Shikhar Dhawan as part of an ongoing investigation into the popular betting platform 1xBet.
According to the Prevention of Money Laundering Act, the 39-year-old former India opener will appear in front of the federal investigative agency. Shikhar Dawan was summoned by ED, according to sources. This is because of his alleged links with Betfair through promotional and endorsement activities.
During the interview, the central investigation agency wants to know the extent and nature of Dhawan’s involvement with 1xBet. The ED summoned Shikhar Dawan to collect information on how Indian cricketers promoted these illegal betting sites to Indian audiences.
The ED conducted a similar probe last month, when it questioned the former cricketer Suresh Raina in this same case for more than eight hours. Raina, like Dhawan, was linked to 1xBet via endorsement contracts and promotion campaigns.
Enforcement Directorate currently investigates multiple cases of illegal betting apps that have defrauded users and investors of millions of rupees, while also evading significant tax obligations. The platforms were operating in India without the proper licensing and approval from regulatory authorities.
In the course of its investigation, ED also called representatives from Google and Meta to be questioned. The agency carried out multi-state searches earlier this week in relation to another online betting application named Parimatch.
According to market research firms, approximately 22 crore Indians are registered with illegal gambling platforms. Of these, 11 crore users are regulars. Online betting in India has a market value of over USD 100 billion, and is growing at a rate of 30% per year.
In response to the surge of illegal gambling apps, the Union Government has recently passed legislation that bans real-money gaming platforms. The regulatory action is intended to protect Indians from fraudulent betting operations and tax legitimate gaming.
This investigation highlights growing concerns about celebrity endorsements and the impact of these platforms on Indian audiences. Former cricketers and other sports figures have been scrutinized for their associations with unregulated betting apps.
The ED investigation into illegal gambling apps is a major crackdown against unauthorized online gaming operations, which have taken advantage of regulatory holes in India’s digital game sector. The agency is expanding its probe to cover other celebrities in sports and influential people who could have promoted illegal betting platforms.
The Enforcement Directorate
India’s leading financial investigative agency, the Enforcement Directorate (ED), is responsible for fighting economic crimes and enforcing Indian economic laws. The ED, which is part of the Ministry of Finance’s investigation division, investigates cases of money laundering and foreign exchange violations. Its mission is to fight financial crime that could threaten India’s regulatory and economic framework.
