ED attaches ₹11.14 crore assets of Shikhar Dhawan and Suresh Raina in online betting case
New Delhi – The Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Thursday attached assets worth ₹11.14 crore belonging to former Indian cricketers Shikhar Dhawan and Suresh Raina. The action came during a money-laundering probe linked to the alleged illegal betting platform 1xBet.
According to officials, the ED issued a provisional attachment order under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA). The order covered Dhawan’s immovable property worth ₹4.5 crore and Raina’s mutual fund investment of ₹6.64 crore.
Investigators found that Dhawan and Raina signed endorsement deals with foreign entities associated with 1xBet. The agency said these companies promoted or operated betting platforms accessible to Indian users, violating national laws.
The ED’s findings suggest both cricketers knowingly endorsed brands connected to 1xBet. These promotions helped the betting company expand its presence in India through surrogate marketing.
Meanwhile, the probe forms part of a wider crackdown on 1xBet’s operations. Registered in Curacao, the portal presents itself as a global bookmaker with nearly two decades in the industry. However, Indian authorities allege that the site runs betting services in violation of local regulations.
In recent months, the ED has intensified its scrutiny of celebrity endorsements linked to betting brands. The agency has summoned several public figures for questioning. Those include former cricketers Yuvraj Singh and Robin Uthappa, actors Sonu Sood and Urvashi Rautela, and politicians such as former Trinamool Congress MP Mimi Chakraborty. Bengali actor Ankush Hazra also appeared before investigators.
The agency is now analysing contracts, payments, and promotional campaigns to trace the money trail. Officials are focusing on how funds moved from offshore companies to Indian accounts through layered transactions.
So far, the probe indicates that several influencers and celebrities received hefty payments for promoting betting-related platforms disguised as gaming or news websites. Investigators believe these entities used endorsement deals to legitimize illegal operations and attract Indian users.
Moreover, the ED is coordinating with the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) and the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) to identify digital wallets and payment gateways used in the scheme. Authorities aim to block financial routes that helped foreign betting companies operate in India.
The crackdown on 1xBet marks one of the largest actions against illegal online betting networks in recent years. Officials said the agency will soon file a detailed report before the adjudicating authority under the PMLA.
As the investigation widens, the ED may summon more individuals connected to promotional campaigns or financial dealings with the betting group. The agency has reaffirmed its commitment to curb money laundering and stop illegal offshore operations targeting Indian consumers.
With celebrity names surfacing in the probe, the case has reignited debate over the ethics of celebrity endorsements and the need for stricter regulation of online gaming advertisements in India.
