Harbhajan, Yuvraj Singh Questioned Over Ads Promoting Illegal Betting Apps
New Delhi:
The Enforcement Directorate has expanded its investigation into illegal online betting apps to include endorsements by cricketers Harbhajan Singh and Suresh Raina and actor Urvashi Rautela.
Sources told NDTV Profit these and other celebrities had been questioned as part of an ongoing investigation into promotion of banned platforms like 1xBet. These platforms, they said, were using 'surrogate names', such as 1xbat, in ad campaigns that include web links (for online material) and QR codes to redirect users to the original (and illegal) betting platform in blatant violation of current laws.
The ED said these platforms presented themselves as hosting skill-based games but used rigged algorithims that classify them as 'gambling operations' under existing Indian laws.
And by partnering with celebrities - a list that also includes Yuvraj Singh, another Indian cricketer - platforms like 1xBet gained 'massive visibility' and are cheating people.
A preliminary inquiry by the federal agency suggests multiple laws may have been violated, including the Information Technology (IT) Act, the Foreign Exchange Management Act, and the stringent Prevention of Money Laundering Act, as well as government notifications.
Representatives for Mr Singh and Mr Raina declined to speak to NDTV Profit, while those for Ms Rautela and others, including popular singer Sonu Sood, have not answered questions.
Media outlets are also under scrutiny; ED sources said a sum exceeding Rs 50 crore was paid to various companies to run advertising campaigns.
Illegal Betting Apps Crackdown
This crackdown on illegal betting apps and platforms - many of which are promoted by celebrities - is one of several by authorities across the country; in May Telangana Police filed cases against 25 popular actors, including Rana Daggubati and Prakash Raj.
'Thousands of lakhs of rupees are involved in these illegal platforms... it is leading families into distress, especially that of middle-class and lower middle-class', the complainant said.
READ | Revanth Reddy vs Tollywood? FIR Against 25 Actors For Betting App Ads
In response, Daggubati and Raj denied their actions were illegal, arguing they do not currently endorse these platforms any more and that, when they had endorsed them, the campaigns were limited to regions where online skill-based games are legally permitted.
It is essential to note, Daggubati's sokesperson said, these online games have been recognised by the Supreme Court as distinct from gambling, as these games are based on skill not chance.
Mahadev Online Betting Case
And, between 2023 and 2024 there was a massive controversy over the Mahdev online betting case, a quagmire of allegations and claims that roiled high-ranking politicians and bureaucrats from Chhattisgarh, including ex-Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel, allegedly a main beneficiary.
READ | CBI Names Chhattisgarh Ex-Chief Minister Baghel In Betting App Case
Mr Baghel too denied any link to the scam and called the allegations 'politically motivated', coming, as they did, shortly before a state election in 2023 and last year's Lok Sabha poll.
As with the ED's investigation in the 1xBat - 1xbet case, the Mahadev betting app promoters - both facing extradition from Dubai - also created a subsidiary application, the Fairplay app.
The projected illegal proceeds of the Mahadev betting app case alone are expected to cross Rs 6,000 crore, ED sources told NDTV in April, underlining the scale of such scams.
Experts believe the illegal betting app business in India is worth over $100 billion and is growing at 30 per cent annually, despite authorities' efforts to crack down on all such platforms.
There are an estimated 11 crore Indians who use these apps daily, and financial frauds by the promoters have been linked to over 1,000 suicides, including school students.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
India Today
an hour ago
- India Today
Court restores Rs 952 crore Vadraj Cement assets in money laundering case
A Special Court under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), Mumbai, has allowed the restoration of immovable properties worth Rs 952 crore belonging to Vadraj Cement Limited (formerly ABG Cement Ltd.) to its rightful claimants in the IL&FS money laundering properties, including the company's Surat Cement Plant, had been provisionally attached by the Directorate of Enforcement (ED) on January 21, 2020, after an investigation revealed fraudulent loans worth Rs 952 crore availed from IL&FS Financial Services Ltd. (IFIN). The Adjudicating Authority confirmed the attachment on August 5, National Bank led the list of lenders to Vadraj Cement, with an admitted claim of Rs 2,122 crore. Other major creditors included Union Bank (Rs 1,620 crore), Indian Overseas Bank (Rs 1,419 crore), Central Bank of India (Rs 1,391 crore), and JC Flower ARC (Rs 677 crore). The ED had initiated an investigation under PMLA against IL&FS and its group companies for generating and laundering proceeds of crime (POC). During the probe, authorities found that Vadraj Cement fraudulently obtained loans and classified them as Special Court passed the restoration order on June 25, 2025, after Nuvoco Vistas Corporation Ltd.—a Nirma Group subsidiary and the successful resolution applicant under the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code (IBC)—sought restoration of the property. The National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT), Mumbai, approved Nuvoco's resolution plan on April 1, 2025. As part of the plan, Nuvoco will pay Rs 1,706 crore to Vadraj's financial continuation of the Directorate of Enforcement's (ED) ongoing efforts for restitution of properties to their rightful owners and in order to put the productive assets to use, enabling financial institutions to monetise the assets attached or seized/secured by ED, a concerted effort was put by ED in the IL&FS case,' the agency said in a statement. 'Assets worth Rs 952 Crore were restituted / restored to the rightful claimant, by the Hon'ble Special Court (PMLA), Mumbai vide order dated 25.06.2025, after the NOC issued by the ED in this regard.'Considering PMLA's objective to return the POC to legitimate claimants, the ED submitted a no-objection before the court. The Hon'ble Additional Session Judge passed the restoration order in PMLA Special Case No. 6/2019 under Sections 8(8) and 8(7) of PMLA and Rule 3A of the PML (Restoration of Property) Rules, court directed the applicant to provide an undertaking to return or restore the property or its value as may be ordered in future. It also instructed the ED to prepare a detailed inventory of the property before handing over possession.- Ends IN THIS STORY#Mumbai
Hindustan Times
an hour ago
- Hindustan Times
Chief of agency probing crash gets X-category cover from CRPF
By Prawesh Lama , New Delhi Jun 29, 2025 05:52 AM IST The Centre has provided CRPF's 'X' security cover to chief of the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB), GVG Yugandhar, officials aware of the matter said on Saturday, days after the former Indian Air Force officer took over the probe into the June 12 Air India crash in which at least 260 people were killed. Chief of agency probing crash gets X-category cover from CRPF 'The security cover has been provided based on the MHA's orders after a threat review by intelligence agencies highlighted the threats and the need for cover,' an official said, requesting anonymity. 'The security cover will be applicable across the country,' he said. Yugandhar is the director general (DG) of the AAIB. Under the X category, at least two commandos will guard the AAIB chief round the clock. The government is yet to issue a statement on the nature of the threat to the officer leading the probe. While probe agencies are investigating the cause of the crash, the site has already been inspected by officials from the National Investigation Agency (NIA), National Security Guards (NSG)and the Gujarat anti-terror squad (ATS). The International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) is also likely to join investigation into the crash. People aware of the matter have told HT that ICAO requested the Indian government seeking an 'observer status' for one of its investigators in the probe which is being led by the AAIB. India has approved the request with an ICAO official expected to be designated as observer within two days.
Time of India
2 hours ago
- Time of India
Nuvoco gets 952cr Vadraj assets after ED issues NOC
Mumbai: The special court allowed the restitution of attached properties valued at Rs 952 crore of Vadraj Cement (ABG Cement) to a company that acquired it through a resolution plan approved by the National Company Law Tribunal, after the Enforcement Directorate issued a No Objection Certificate (NOC). The ABG group obtained a loan from Infrastructure Leasing & Financial Services Ltd (IL&FS), which IL&FS later declared non-performing. Consequently, in the IL&FS money laundering case in 2020, the ED provisionally attached the Surat plant of Vadraj Cement. Subsequently, Nuvoco Vistas Corporation, a subsidiary of the Nirma Group, purchased the cement firm through the NCLT resolution plan. Nuvoco then approached the court to request the restoration of the cement plant. The ED stated that the ABG group had obtained Rs 952 crore in financial assistance from IL&FS, which was subsequently declared non-performing. The ED attached the immovable properties of Vadraj Cement, including its Surat Cement Plant, and the adjudicating authority confirmed the attachment in 2021. The ED filed a chargesheet with the court related to the issue. You Can Also Check: Mumbai AQI | Weather in Mumbai | Bank Holidays in Mumbai | Public Holidays in Mumbai Vadraj Cement had also obtained loans from Punjab National Bank (Rs 2,122 crore), Union Bank (Rs 1,620 crore), Indian Overseas Bank (Rs 1,419 crore), Central Bank of India (Rs 1,391 crore), and JC Flower ARC (Rs 677 crore). by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Profit Trick - Read More vividtrendlab Click Here Undo A proceeding was initiated against the company under the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code before the NCLT. Nuvoco Vistas Corporation Ltd., a subsidiary of the Nirma Group, purchased the cement company through a resolution plan in which it agreed to pay Rs 1,706 crore to the financial creditors in lieu of acquiring Vadraj Cement Ltd, the ED said in a press release issued on Saturday. Nuvoco Vistas Corporation filed an application before the special court, which allowed the restoration of the assets after the ED's NOC. It is alleged that the former top management of IL&FS Group gave dubious loans to many companies who defaulted the payment, causing losses to the group.
