ED summons Ex-Indian Cricketers Robin Uthappa and Yuvraj Singh in Illegal Betting App Case

The ED has issued notices to both cricketers under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), with Uthappa scheduled to appear at the agency's Delhi headquarters on September 22 and Yuvraj Singh on September 23. Actor Sonu Sood has also been summoned for September 24 in connection with the same investigation.

Widening Investigation Targets Celebrity Endorsements

This latest development comes as part of the ED's broader probe into illegal betting apps that have allegedly defrauded investors of crores of rupees while evading substantial taxes. The agency has already questioned several high-profile personalities, including former cricketers Shikhar Dhawan and Suresh Raina, along with actors Urvashi Rautela, Mimi Chakraborty, and Ankush Hazra.

The investigation focuses on how celebrities helped popularize banned betting platforms through endorsements and promotional campaigns, despite Indian restrictions on gambling. Officials revealed that these platforms often use surrogate branding and indirect promotions to bypass legal restrictions, including celebrity endorsements and advertisements on streaming platforms.

Robin Uthappa's Cricket Legacy

The 39-year-old Uthappa was a key member of India's historic 2007 T20 World Cup-winning team, playing a crucial role in the tournament victory under MS Dhoni's captaincy. During his international career spanning from 2006 to 2015, Uthappa played 46 ODIs and 13 T20 Internationals for India, scoring 934 runs in ODIs with six fifties and 249 runs in T20s with one half-century.

Uthappa announced his retirement from professional cricket in September 2022 and had previously appeared in promotional videos for 1xBet, which is now under the ED's scanner for suspected violations of Indian law.

Government's Massive Crackdown on Betting Apps

The probe comes amid a comprehensive government crackdown on illegal betting platforms. The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology has blocked over 174 betting platforms, including 1xBet, citing concerns over illegal financial transactions and regulatory violations.

In a landmark move, the Online Gaming Act 2025 has officially banned all real-money based online games, including platforms like Dream11, MyTeam11, and Rummy Circle, forcing these companies to alter their business models completely. The law prohibits banks, UPI, and payment systems from processing transactions related to money-gaming platforms.

Money Laundering and Tax Evasion Concerns

ED investigations have revealed that illegal betting apps operate through sophisticated corporate structures, using multiple mule accounts and cryptocurrency payments to launder funds. Preliminary investigations indicate that apps like 1xBet, FairPlay, Parimatch, and Lotus365 have severely undermined tax revenue while collecting thousands of crores from Indian users.

The agency estimates that approximately 22 crore Indian users are registered on various illegal betting apps, with about 11 crore being active regularly. These platforms reportedly route payments through proxy bank accounts and unregulated channels, raising significant legal and financial concerns.

As the ED intensifies its investigation, the summoning of high-profile cricketers like Uthappa and Yuvraj Singh signals the government's serious intent to tackle the illegal betting ecosystem and hold all stakeholders accountable for their role in promoting these platforms.