Following the interrogation of cricketers Suresh Raina and Shikhar Dhawan in August and September, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) has summoned former Indian players Yuvraj Singh and Robin Uthappa regarding their alleged roles in a money laundering case associated with illegal online betting platforms. These platforms are said to utilize surrogate advertisements across various media to raise funds, according to officials. Uthappa is scheduled to appear at the ED’s headquarters on September 22, while Yuvraj is set to give his statement on September 23 under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA).
The investigation also encompasses multiple celebrities from both the entertainment and sports sectors, including Trinamool Congress MP Mimi Chakraborty and actor Ankush Hazra, who were recently questioned by the ED. Bollywood actress Urvashi Rautela was expected to attend but had not done so at the time of this report. The ED’s investigation seeks to reveal the links between celebrities and betting platforms, focusing on endorsement payments and communication methods. The agency has previously summoned representatives from leading tech firms like Google and Meta as part of this inquiry. It is looking into various platforms that allegedly evade government regulations and continue their operations by changing their names, despite existing bans.
These platforms are accused of tax evasion, money laundering, and breaching the Foreign Exchange Management Act (FEMA), with funds reportedly being illegally transferred abroad. Estimates indicate that more than 220 million Indian users engage with these apps, with approximately 110 million being frequent users. In spite of government advisories issued in 2023 that prohibit advertising for betting platforms across media and digital channels, endorsements by celebrities and influencers have continued, prompting heightened scrutiny from the ED.