Cricketer Suresh Raina appeared before the Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Wednesday for questioning in a money-laundering case linked to illegal betting on apps, news agency PTI reported.
Raina is allegedly linked to the case through his endorsements, the news agency said, adding that the probe agency is trying to ascertain his links with an app named 1xBet.
Several illegal betting apps are allegedly responsible for duping numerous people and investors out of crores of rupees, or evading large sums in taxes, and the ED is probing them.
The 38-year-old cricket star was summoned by the probe agency in one such case, officials told HT late Tuesday night. His statement will be recorded under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) as part of this investigation.
The probe agency is also investigating how the illegal apps advertised themselves, and also summoned officials from Google and Meta last month in this regard.
In the past, many such illegal betting apps have been banned, but have allegedly resurfaced under other names, and were promoted by celebrities and social media influencers, HT was earlier told.
“These platforms are in violation of multiple laws and directions by the Indian government... It is estimated that around 22 crore (220 million) Indian users are currently engaged on various betting apps, and 11 crore (110 million) of these are regular users,” an officer told HT.
{{/usCountry}}“These platforms are in violation of multiple laws and directions by the Indian government... It is estimated that around 22 crore (220 million) Indian users are currently engaged on various betting apps, and 11 crore (110 million) of these are regular users,” an officer told HT.
{{/usCountry}}In the first quarter of 2025 alone, such websites and apps drew over 1.6 billion visits, and the ED estimates the country's online betting market could be valued at about $100 million.