ED investigates cricketers and celebrities for endorsing illegal betting apps

Cricketers, Celebrities Face ED Scrutiny Over Promotion of Illegal Betting Apps

Indian authorities have intensified their investigation into the nexus between celebrity endorsements and the aggressive promotion of illegal betting platforms, notably 1xBet and its surrogate entities, pulling household names from the worlds of cricket and entertainment into the Enforcement Directorate’s (ED) spotlight.

Famous Names Under ED’s Scanner

The Enforcement Directorate has questioned prominent figures, including celebrated cricketers Harbhajan Singh, Yuvraj Singh, and Suresh Raina, as well as Bollywood actress Urvashi Rautela, over their roles in advertising and endorsing betting brands that operate outside India’s legal framework. According to sources and recent coverage from NDTV, these individuals allegedly lent their profiles to surrogate versions of the banned 1xBet platform—such as ‘1xBat’—that feature QR codes and web links covertly directing users to illegal betting portals. These portals present themselves as skill-based game sites but, according to the ED, use manipulated algorithms that actually function as gambling under Indian law.

Working alongside celebrities has given these platforms “massive visibility”, accelerating their reach and, ED officials contend, facilitating the deception of unwitting consumers. The ED cited that such platforms have paid over Rs 50 crore to a range of companies and media houses for extensive, often slick, advertising campaigns, all while exploiting regulatory loopholes or directly violating multiple Indian laws, including the Information Technology Act, FEMA, the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), and government notifications regarding online betting.

Wider Investigation and Industry Fallout

Neither Harbhajan Singh nor Suresh Raina offered comments when approached, while Urvashi Rautela and actor Sonu Sood did not respond to media inquiries about their involvement. The investigation is set against a landscape of mounting concern about illegal betting—particularly apps masquerading as fantasy sports or skill games—and their deep financial and social repercussions.

These probes aren’t isolated incidents. Recent months have seen the Telangana Police register real cases against at least 25 film and sports personalities, including actors Rana Daggubati and Prakash Raj, whom they accuse of collaborating with platforms under the guise of endorsing skill games in jurisdictions where it is permitted. Both actors have publicly denied any wrongdoing. Notably, Daggubati’s spokesperson pointed to the Supreme Court’s previous recognition that “skill-based online games are distinct from gambling,” though regulators remain deeply skeptical about where these platforms actually fall on the legal spectrum.

The Growing Ecosystem and its Consequences

This crackdown comes amid wider industry turbulence, with the digital betting ecosystem in India estimated to be worth more than $100 billion, growing at a brisk 30% annually. Despite periodic bans and enforcement raids, approximately 110 million Indians are reported to use such platforms every day. The consequences have been catastrophic in some cases: authorities link more than 1,000 suicides—some involving schoolchildren—to betting-related financial fraud.

High-profile cases, such as the infamous Mahadev online betting scam, have revealed the system’s vast reach and political connections. In that instance, Chhattisgarh’s then-Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel was named, although he has denied all involvement, describing the allegations as politically motivated.

How Surrogacy and Media Amplification Enable Illegal Betting

Surrogate advertising—where betting companies promote offshoot brands or skill games as proxies for their real money betting services—has helped these entities circumvent advertising bans. The tactic relies on strong media and influencer amplification. The ED reported that payments worth tens of crores were channeled toward celebrity endorsements and media pushes, making it hard for everyday users to distinguish between legal and illegal digital offerings.

As investigations continue, regulators are also intent on cracking down on social media influencers and digital creators who receive payments in exchange for promoting these apps, with police in Greater Noida recently busting a racket tied to an international online cricket betting operation. That case alone involved handlers operating from as far as Thailand and Dubai, leveraging platforms like WhatsApp to distribute betting IDs and launder proceeds abroad. Reportedly, accounts and digital payment channels linked to these rackets are being frozen, and new regulatory notices for influencers are imminent.

Final Thoughts

The ED’s widening probe marks an escalation in the campaign against illegal betting’s deep penetration into Indian entertainment and culture. With top athletes and celebrities under the scanner for the allure and reach they bring to banned online operators, the crackdown signals a clear warning: Indian authorities are intent on stemming the tide of illegal gambling and holding high-profile promoters accountable. For further developments, continue following domestic news portals such as NDTV and Business Standard for reliable coverage on this unfolding story.

For an overview of the legal issues around online gaming, read this analysis on the Information Technology Act. Details about the impact of surrogate advertising are broken down in this explainer by Storyboard18. Insight into recent celebrity questioning is covered here, and further news regarding the Mahadev betting case and its political fallout can be found via India Today.