Former India all-rounder Suresh Raina appeared earlier than the Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Wednesday as a part of a cash laundering investigation related to unlawful on-line betting platform 1XBet. The company is recording his assertion beneath the Prevention of Cash Laundering Act (PMLA) to find out whether or not his alleged endorsements for the platform performed a job in attracting customers to the illegal betting community.
Why the ED is questioning Suresh Raina
The ED’s summons to Raina stems from suspicions that he could have been related to 1XBet by promotional actions, regardless of the platform being banned in India. Authorities imagine that endorsements by public figures not solely increase visibility for such apps but in addition lend them credibility within the eyes of potential customers. In keeping with investigators, 1XBet has been working in violation of a number of legal guidelines and authorities directives, making it a key goal within the company’s crackdown on on-line betting.
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ED’s historical past of motion in opposition to cricket betting rackets
The summons to Raina is a part of a broader marketing campaign by the ED to dismantle betting-linked cash laundering networks. In 2024, the company connected belongings price ₹337 crore in circumstances associated to betting on Indian Premier League (IPL) matches. By questioning celebrities and influencers, the ED goals to determine whether or not promotional ties to unlawful betting platforms represent a hyperlink within the laundering chain.
Notably, information signifies that unlawful betting has reached alarming ranges in India. Round 22 crore persons are estimated to make use of betting apps, with almost half being common members. Within the first three months of 2025 alone, such platforms reportedly recorded over 1.6 billion visits. The market is valued at roughly $100 million, whereas tax evasion linked to those operations is estimated at ₹27,000 crore yearly. Officers have warned that the proliferation of those apps poses important financial and authorized challenges.
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