Illegal betting app case: Full list of stars summoned by ED, 10 key points, and history
New Delhi: The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has intensified its probe into the illegal betting app scandal involving platforms such as 1xBet, widening the net to include top cricketers, Bollywood actors, and regional film stars.
The summons has been issued under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), with investigators examining promotional deals, financial trails, and suspected laundering of illegal betting proceeds.
List of People Summoned / Questioned (As of September 16, 2025)
- Yuvraj Singh (Former cricketer) – Summoned on September 16
- Robin Uthappa (Former cricketer) – Summoned on September 16
- Sonu Sood (Actor) – Summoned earlier
- Mimi Chakraborty (Actor, ex-MP) – Questioned for hours, fresh summons issued
- Ankush Hazra (Bengali actor)- Questioned, fresh summons on Sept 16
- Urvashi Rautela (Actor) – Summoned recently in the case
- Shikhar Dhawan (Former cricketer) – Previously questioned
- Suresh Raina (Former cricketer) – Previously questioned
- Rana Daggubati (Actor) – Summoned earlier
- Prakash Raj (Actor) – Summoned earlier
- Vijay Deverakonda (Actor) – Summoned earlier
- Manchu Lakshmi (Actor) – Summoned earlier
What the Case Is About — 10 Pointers
- Illegal Platforms — The case revolves around apps like 1xBet and similar betting platforms accused of running gambling operations banned in India.
- Celebrity Endorsements — Several stars allegedly promoted or endorsed these apps, receiving hefty payments.
- Money Laundering Probe — The ED is investigating if endorsement money was part of laundering the proceeds of crime.
- Tax Evasion Angle — Authorities suspect undeclared income and tax violations linked to promotions.
- Misleading Ads — Ads portrayed gambling apps as “games of skill” to bypass restrictions.
- Public Harm — Investigators argue that lakhs of ordinary users lost money through these apps.
- Multiple FIRs — The case stems from several state police FIRs, mainly in Telangana and Andhra Pradesh.
- Proxy Operations — Many apps allegedly ran through proxy servers and surrogate names to evade bans.
- Asset Seizures — The ED has frozen accounts and attached properties suspected to be linked to illegal proceeds.
- Regulatory Push — The scandal has reignited debate on gambling laws, influencer accountability, and digital advertising norms.
The History
The betting app scandal first drew attention in 2023–24, when complaints surfaced that international betting platforms were luring Indian users through flashy ads and celebrity endorsements.
State police FIRs later flagged large-scale fraud and money laundering, leading to the ED stepping in under PMLA. Since mid-2025, the ED has questioned dozens of celebrities, including actors and sportspersons, in one of the largest crackdowns on digital betting scams in the country.