New Delhi: The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has provisionally attached assets worth ₹11.14 crore linked to former Indian cricket stars Suresh Raina and Shikhar Dhawan as part of its probe into the 1xBet illegal betting and money laundering case.
According to the ED, the attachment includes mutual fund investments worth ₹6.64 crore held in the name of Suresh Raina and an immovable property valued at ₹4.5 crore owned by Shikhar Dhawan. The action was taken under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), 2002.
ED Alleges Illegal Endorsements by Cricketers
The investigation revealed that 1xBet and its associated surrogate brands — 1xBat and 1xBat Sporting Lines — were involved in promoting and facilitating illegal online betting and gambling across India.
The agency alleged that both Raina and Dhawan “knowingly entered into endorsement deals with foreign entities” promoting these brands, despite their links to illegal betting operations. Payments for the endorsements were reportedly routed through foreign intermediaries to conceal the illicit origin of the funds.
“These endorsements were made in return for payments routed through offshore entities to disguise proceeds of crime generated from illegal betting activities,” the ED said in a statement.
Illegal Betting Network and ₹1,000 Crore Laundered
The ED’s probe found that 1xBet operated in India without government authorization, using surrogate branding and advertisements to attract Indian users via social media, online videos, and print platforms.
The investigation further uncovered that the platform used over 6,000 mule accounts to collect money from Indian users. These funds were later funneled through multiple payment gateways and shell merchants, many of which had no valid KYC verification or legitimate business operations.
“The layering of funds indicated large-scale money laundering exceeding ₹1,000 crore,” the agency added.
Following the searches, the ED froze more than 60 bank accounts linked to these payment gateways, involving over ₹4 crore in suspected proceeds of crime.
ED Warns Against Online Betting Platforms
Issuing a public advisory, the ED urged citizens to avoid engaging or promoting online betting and gambling activities, warning that such actions could invite criminal prosecution.
“Anyone knowingly assisting or allowing their account to be used for illegal betting may face imprisonment of up to seven years under the PMLA,” the agency stated.
The ED also advised individuals to immediately report to their banks or local police if they suspect their accounts have been misused for illegal transactions.
“Illegal betting and gambling not only cause economic harm but also aid in money laundering and financing of unlawful activities,” the statement added.
