Cricket Meets Controversy: Shikhar Dhawan Appears Before ED in Online Betting Probe
New Delhi (The Uttam Hindu): Former Indian cricket team opener Shikhar Dhawan was summoned by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Thursday in connection with its probe into illegal online betting apps, including the controversial platform 1xBet.
Dhawan, who allegedly promoted the betting app, arrived at the ED office around 11 AM to join the investigation. Sources revealed that the cricketer was questioned about his role in promotional campaigns and possible financial links with the company.
This development comes just weeks after the ED questioned Suresh Raina in the same case. Notably, in December 2024, 1xBet appointed Raina as its “Responsible Gaming Ambassador,” sparking major controversy over celebrities endorsing betting-related platforms.
According to ED officials, the agency has intensified its crackdown on illegal betting platforms such as 1xBet, FairPlay, Parimatch, and Lotus365. Several top names, including Harbhajan Singh, Yuvraj Singh, Sonu Sood, and Urvashi Rautela, have already been summoned for questioning regarding their associations with these platforms.
Investigators allege that these apps, often advertising under names like 1xBat or 1xBat Sporting Lines, use QR codes in ads to directly redirect users to betting websites. While projecting themselves as “skill-based gaming platforms,” the ED believes they use fraudulent algorithms for illegal betting, violating Indian laws.
Officials further suspect large-scale money laundering and cross-border fund transfers through these apps. The ED has already issued multiple notices to celebrities and influencers who endorsed these platforms. With Shikhar Dhawan’s questioning, ED has signaled that no big names will be spared in the ongoing crackdown. Sources suggest that more cricketers and Bollywood celebrities may soon face interrogation as the investigation expands.
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