New Delhi: In a significant development in the ongoing crackdown on illegal online betting networks, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) has provisionally attached assets worth ₹11.14 crore belonging to former Indian cricketers Suresh Raina and Shikhar Dhawan.
The action has been taken under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) in connection with a probe linked to the offshore betting platform 1xBet.
According to officials, the attached properties include mutual fund investments worth ₹6.64 crore in the name of Suresh Raina, and immovable property valued at ₹4.5 crore belonging to Shikhar Dhawan.
The ED began investigating the case following multiple FIRs filed across states against 1xBet and its surrogate brands for operating unlawful betting services in India.
How the cricketers’ involvement surfaced
During the investigation, the ED found that both Raina and Dhawan had allegedly entered into advertising and promotional agreements with foreign entities linked to 1xBet.
These deals, according to the agency, were structured through offshore intermediaries with the objective of concealing the source of funds, which are suspected to have originated from illegal betting proceeds.
Officials said the promotions were conducted via social media, online videos, and other digital platforms, enabling the betting company to reach Indian users despite lacking regulatory approval in the country.
The agency further revealed that the betting syndicate operated through thousands of mule bank accounts and unverified merchant onboarding systems to disguise its transactional footprint.
Wider crackdown and ongoing investigation
The ED has already frozen multiple bank accounts associated with the racket and collected financial intelligence pointing to money laundering running into hundreds of crores of rupees.
Statements of several public personalities, including sports figures and celebrities who promoted or endorsed similar platforms, have been recorded.
Officials stress that the asset attachment is provisional and subject to further adjudication.
More individuals and entities linked to the case may face scrutiny as the investigation progresses.
The development marks a major escalation in India’s efforts to clamp down on illegal digital betting networks and the use of celebrity endorsements to legitimize such platforms.
Authorities are expected to summon additional persons and examine financial trails associated with brand partnerships, endorsements, and offshore payment channels.
With India tightening oversight over online gaming and betting industries, legal experts anticipate stricter compliance norms and punitive measures in the coming months.
The ED has clarified that investigations in the case are still underway.
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