Online betting app case: ED summons ex-India cricketer Shikhar Dhawan; more high-profile names likely

NEW DELHI: Former India cricketer Shikhar Dhawan has been summoned by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in connection with its ongoing investigation into an alleged money laundering case linked to the online betting platform 1xBet. Officials confirmed that the 39-year-old cricketer has been asked to appear before the agency on Thursday for questioning.Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel. SUBSCRIBE NOW!According to reports, Dhawan is likely to be questioned about his association with the betting app through endorsements. His statement will be recorded under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA). The ED is probing multiple such platforms that have allegedly duped investors of crores of rupees and evaded large sums in taxes.The summons to Dhawan comes weeks after his former India teammate Suresh Raina was questioned by the agency in the same case.Actor Rana Daggubati also deposed before the ED in Hyderabad in July after seeking a brief postponement due to professional commitments. In May, the Telangana Police booked 25 actors, including Prakash Raj, Manchu Lakshmi, Nidhi Agarwal, and TV anchor Srimukhi, over alleged betting promotions. Most have denied wrongdoing, claiming they only endorsed platforms in regions where online skill-based games are permitted.The government recently tightened its stance on such apps by banning real-money online gaming, citing risks of addiction, fraud, and money laundering. The ED’s probe has drawn parallels with the Mahadev betting scandal of 2023–24, which implicated several high-profile figures, including former Chhattisgarh chief minister Bhupesh Baghel.Officials indicated that Dhawan’s questioning is part of a broader crackdown on illegal betting platforms and celebrity promoters. More high-profile summonses are expected in the coming weeks as the inquiry widens.