The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has intensified its investigation into illegal online betting platforms (Betting Apps), with the probe now extending to Bollywood and the cricket world.
Entertainment: The Enforcement Directorate (ED)'s investigation into the rapidly expanding illegal online betting networks in India has reached film stars and cricket legends. Bollywood actors Sonu Sood and Urvashi Rautela, and former cricketers Harbhajan Singh, Yuvraj Singh, and Suresh Raina have been questioned for allegedly promoting banned betting apps—such as 1xBet, FairPlay, Parimatch, and Lotus 365—in India.
This case extends beyond mere promotion; it involves transactions and the roles of advertising firms. According to ED reports, these promotions were not ordinary advertisements but a planned effort to promote banned platforms, circumventing the law.
The Full Story: The Enforcement Directorate's investigation focuses on betting apps masquerading as "skill-based games" but deceptively employing lottery draws and betting algorithms. Celebrities, from social media influencers to major Bollywood stars and former international cricketers, have been implicated in promoting these apps.
These platforms used QR codes, link shorteners, and redirection technology to direct users to illegal betting sites.
Exploitation of Star Power
- According to ED officials, these apps leveraged star power to gain popularity in India.
- Sonu Sood and Urvashi Rautela created advertisements and videos portraying apps like 1xBet and FairPlay as "games."
- Similarly, Harbhajan Singh, Yuvraj Singh, and Suresh Raina were associated with brands directly or indirectly linked to betting.
- Promotional materials depicted stars as symbols of victory, attracting young people to these apps.
ED's Inquiry and Next Steps
Sources indicate the ED questioned these celebrities, gathering information on their contracts, payment transactions, and digital promotion strategies. An official stated this was not mere brand endorsement but a deliberate strategy to establish banned apps in the Indian market.
No star has yet issued an official response. Sonu Sood, Urvashi Rautela, and Yuvraj Singh's teams have remained silent, while Harbhajan Singh and Suresh Raina's representatives declined to comment.
Media Houses Also Under ED Scrutiny
Beyond celebrities, several major media organizations and advertising agencies have received notices. The ED alleges these agencies received over ₹50 crore to place betting app advertisements in prime slots. These ads permeated numerous Hindi and English news platforms, OTT banners, and social media feeds.
According to the ED's internal report, the illegal online betting market in India exceeds $100 billion, growing annually at roughly 30%. These apps reach over 220 million Indian users, predominantly young people, unemployed individuals, housewives, and students, who risk losing money, confidence, and sometimes their lives.
A public interest litigation (PIL) filed in the Telangana High Court indicates over 1,000 suicides linked to betting apps in recent years. This alarming figure highlights the severe social impact of this digital gambling in India.
