ED Intensifies Crackdown on Betting-App Endorsements
New Delhi, June 17, 2025 — The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has ramped up its investigation into illegal online betting platforms, summoning notable celebrities who promoted such apps, including former India cricketer Yuvraj Singh and Bollywood actress Urvashi Rautela.
The Who and The Why
According to official sources, the probe targets apps like xBet, Fairplay, Parimatch, Lotus365, and others. Though these platforms marketed themselves as skill-based gaming apps, the ED alleges they functioned primarily on luck, using manipulative algorithms—making them illegal gambling operations under Indian law.
High-profile figures under ED scrutiny include:
- Yuvraj Singh (cricket legend)
- Urvashi Rautela (Bollywood actress)
- Harbhajan Singh, Suresh Raina (former cricketers)
- Sonu Sood (actor)
Money Trail: Payments to Media and Influencers
Investigators have traced a massive financial ecosystem behind these apps:
- The ED reports over ₹50 crore ($6 million+) paid to media outlets for advertising campaigns.
- Celebrity endorsements reportedly catalyzed explosive user growth, fueling a sprawling black-market gambling empire estimated at over $100 billion .
Celebrities Speak Out
There has been little official comment from the stars involved. Requests for statements from Yuvraj, Rautela, and others remain unanswered.https://newsium.in/
Meanwhile, industry insiders flagged earlier controversies:
- Urvashi Rautela had previously faced backlash for promoting Lotus365 and allegedly endorsing 1xBet, another illegal betting platform.https://mediawala.live/
What’s Next in the ED Probe?
- The ED is widening its net—media firms and ad agencies that facilitated promotional campaigns are now also under scrutiny.
- Additional celebrities and corporate entities associated with these platforms may receive notices as the agency advances its investigation.
What You Should Know
| Focus Area | Key Insight |
|---|---|
| Nature of Apps | Marketed as “skill-based” but legally classified as gambling due to luck and algorithm manipulation |
| Legal Basis | Under Indian law, non-compliant gambling apps are illegal; promoting them can bring charges |
| Investigative Scope | Extends from celebrities to media houses and cash-flows connected to ad campaigns |
As ED continues its investigations, the spotlight deepens on how influencers and celebrities are used to mainstream such platforms—raising ethical and legal questions about accountability in promotion.
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