Ex-India Star Robin Uthappa Appears Before ED In Online Betting App Case

Former Indian cricketer Robin Uthappa found himself facing tough questions from the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in New Delhi on Monday. The questioning was part of a widening probe into money laundering linked to the infamous online betting app, 1xBet. Uthappa’s statement was recorded under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), as ED officials continue to unravel how illegal betting platforms operated and recruited celebrities in India.

Why Was Robin Uthappa Questioned By The ED?

Uthappa, aged 39, reached the ED office around 11 am and spent much of the day there. The agency focused its questions on how he came to associate with 1xBet: the nature of his contract, who reached out to him, how he was paid (cash or bank transfer), and if payments happened domestically or abroad. The ED has asked all celebrities in the case for copies of contracts, negotiations, payment receipts, and related paperwork. ED sources say they also want to know if these celebrities were aware that online betting and gaming are illegal in India.

“The agency is asking the cricketers and actors if they knew that online betting and gaming was illegal in India. They have also been asked to furnish a copy of their contracts and all relevant documentation made with 1xBet,” a source revealed.

A Wider Investigation—Many Big Names Questioned

Robin Uthappa isn’t the only famous face involved. Over the last few weeks, the ED has also grilled former cricketers Suresh Raina, Shikhar Dhawan, and Yuvraj Singh, as well as popular film and TV stars like Mimi Chakraborty and Ankush Hazra. Actor Sonu Sood has also been summoned, as the ED tracks celebrity endorsements of such online betting apps. The key interest for investigators is whether any money these public figures received is “proceeds of crime” under the law.

The probe is part of a broader crusade against online betting and gambling, activities recently banned by the central government. Estimates suggest there were over 22 crore (220 million) Indian users on various betting apps before the recent crackdown, and the sector’s market value was believed to exceed $100 billion, growing at 30% annually.

What Is 1xBet, And What Is The Case About?

1xBet is a Curacao-registered global betting brand with operations in many countries. The company claimed 18 years in the industry and its app—available in 70 languages—offered betting on thousands of sports events. However, in India, such gambling apps have run afoul of the law. The ED is focused on whether these apps duped users out of crores of rupees and evaded large amounts in taxes.

The probe is also investigating financial crime aspects, such as money laundering and hawala transactions, which may have helped siphon profits out of India without paying proper taxes.

What’s Upcoming?

The ED’s investigation continues, with more celebrities, sportspersons, and influencers expected to be summoned in the coming days. The government, meanwhile, continues to ban betting and gambling sites, with over 1,500 platforms blocked since 2022. This crackdown is a clear message: online betting, when illegal, is a serious crime under Indian law, and celebrities endorsing or engaging with such firms can be held accountable.