ED Provisionally Attaches ₹7.93 Crore Worth Assets of Celebrities in 1xBet Illegal Betting Case.

Headnote:

The Directorate of Enforcement has provisionally attached movable and immovable assets worth ₹7.93 crore belonging to several prominent celebrities in connection with a money laundering investigation linked to the illegal offshore betting platform 1xBet. The investigation revealed that the celebrities knowingly promoted illegal betting platforms through surrogate branding and received endorsement payments routed via foreign entities to conceal the proceeds of crime.

Background:

• ED initiated the investigation based on multiple FIRs registered by various State Police agencies against operators of the illegal offshore betting platform 1xBet.

• The probe revealed that 1xBet and its surrogate brands—including 1xBat and 1xBat Sporting Lines—were actively involved in facilitating illegal online betting and gambling operations across India.

Attachment of Assets

• ED has provisionally attached movable and immovable assets valued at ₹7.93 crore under the provisions of PMLA, 2002.

• The attached assets belong to the following celebrities:

– Yuvraj Singh

– Robin Uthhapa

– Urvashi Rautela

– Sonu Sood

– Mimi Chakraborty

– Ankush Hazra

– Neha Sharma

ED’s Findings:

• The investigation revealed that the celebrities knowingly entered into endorsement agreements with foreign entities to promote 1xBet through its surrogate platforms.

• These endorsements were made in exchange for payments routed through foreign entities, deliberately structured to conceal the illicit origin of funds.

• The payments were found to be linked to Proceeds of Crime (POC) generated from illegal betting and gambling activities.

• 1xBet was found to be operating in India without authorisation, using surrogate branding and advertisements to target Indian users via:

– Social media platforms

– Online videos

– Print media

• Endorsement payments were layered through foreign intermediaries to disguise their illegal source.

Earlier Action

• On 06 October 2025, ED had earlier attached assets worth ₹11.14 crore belonging to cricketers Shikhar Dhawan and Suresh Raina in the same case.

ED Advisory

• ED cautions that illegal betting and gambling platforms cause serious economic harm and are frequently used for money laundering and other unlawful activities.

• The general public is advised to avoid such platforms and report suspicious transactions or advertisements to law enforcement agencies or the ED.

• Celebrities and social media influencers are specifically warned that endorsing or promoting illegal betting or gambling platforms, including through surrogate advertisements, is a punishable offence and will attract action under applicable laws.

Status

• Further proceedings under PMLA are underway.