The Enforcement Directorate has intensified its crackdown on illegal online betting platforms by attaching assets worth ₹7.93 crore linked to several high profile celebrities. The action is part of an ongoing money laundering investigation connected to the offshore betting platform 1xBet. Among those named are former Indian cricketers Yuvraj Singh and Robin Uthappa, along with actor Sonu Sood, actresses, and models. The case has reignited debate around celebrity endorsements, surrogate betting promotions, and the responsibility public figures carry when associating with platforms that operate outside Indian law.
ED Action Under PMLA in the 1xBet Investigation:
The Enforcement Directorate carried out this attachment under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act, 2002, after tracing financial links between celebrities and the illegal betting platform 1xBet. According to officials, both movable and immovable assets were identified as being connected to proceeds of crime generated through online betting activities.
The investigation began after multiple FIRs were registered by state police agencies across India against operators of 1xBet. The ED stated that the platform functioned in India without authorisation and used complex financial structures to move money. The attachment is provisional and will be reviewed by the adjudicating authority before further legal steps.
Celebrities Named in the Latest Case Order of 1xBet:
In the latest phase of the probe, the ED named several well known personalities from sports and entertainment whose assets were attached. These individuals allegedly entered endorsement arrangements that helped promote 1xBet or its surrogate brands in India.
- Yuvraj Singh through his company YWC Health and Wellness
- Robin Uthappa for endorsement related transactions
- Sonu Sood for promotional associations
- Mimi Chakraborty and Neha Sharma for surrogate advertisements
The agency alleged these were structured agreements, not casual promotions, and were designed to increase the platform’s reach among Indian users.
Asset Breakup of ₹7.93 Crore Attached by ED:
The Enforcement Directorate released a detailed breakup to show how endorsement earnings were allegedly converted into assets. The total value attached in this phase stands at ₹7.93 crore, spread across multiple individuals.
| Name | Value of Assets Attached |
| Sonu Sood | ₹1 crore |
| Mimi Chakraborty | ₹59 lakh |
| Yuvraj Singh | ₹2.5 crore |
| Neha Sharma | ₹1.26 crore |
| Robin Uthappa | ₹8.26 lakh |
| Ankush Hazra | ₹47.2 lakh |
| Meera Rautela | ₹2.02 crore |
The ED clarified that Meera Rautela is the mother of actor Urvashi Rautela, who was also linked to 1xBet promotions.
How 1xBet Allegedly Operated Through Surrogate Branding?
According to the ED, 1xBet used surrogate brands such as 1xBat and 1xBat Sporting Lines to bypass Indian laws that restrict betting advertisements. These brands were promoted through social media platforms, online videos, and print advertisements targeted at Indian audiences.
The agency alleged that celebrities knowingly endorsed these surrogate brands while being aware that the core betting platform was illegal in India. Payments for promotions were allegedly routed through foreign entities using layered transactions, a method commonly associated with money laundering to hide the origin of funds.
ED Warning to Celebrities and Influencers:
Along with the attachment order, the Enforcement Directorate issued a strong warning to celebrities and social media influencers. The agency made it clear that endorsing illegal betting or gambling platforms, even indirectly through surrogate branding, is a punishable offence under Indian law.
- Surrogate betting promotions are treated as illegal endorsements
- Payments routed via foreign entities raise serious legal concerns
- Earnings linked to betting can be treated as proceeds of crime
- Claiming ignorance about platform legality offers no legal protection
The ED urged public figures to verify the legality of brands before associating with them.
Earlier Attachments and Wider Impact of the Case:
This is not the first major enforcement action in the 1xBet investigation. In October, the ED had attached assets worth ₹11.14 crore belonging to Shikhar Dhawan and Suresh Raina under the same case.
Together, these actions show a wider crackdown on illegal betting networks and their promoters. The ED also warned that such platforms pose serious economic risks and are often used for money laundering and financial fraud, urging citizens to avoid them.
Conclusion:
The attachment of ₹7.93 crore worth of assets in the 1xBet case sends a strong and clear message. Public influence does not shield anyone from legal accountability. By targeting surrogate advertising and complex payment routes, the ED has reinforced its position against illegal betting platforms. For celebrities, the case highlights the risks of unchecked endorsements. For the public, it serves as a reminder that offshore betting platforms often carry hidden legal and financial dangers.
FAQs:
The assets were allegedly linked to money laundering and illegal betting promotions.
The attachment was carried out under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act, 2002.
No, 1xBet is an offshore platform operating without legal approval.
These involve alternate brand names used to indirectly promote illegal betting.
Promoting illegal betting platforms, even indirectly, is a punishable offence.