Bollywood’s Urvashi Rautela recently found herself making headlines for reasons far from glitz and glamour. The star appeared at the Enforcement Directorate’s (ED) office, signaling a serious turn in the ongoing investigation into illegal betting apps. She arrived at the ED headquarters for questioning regarding the 1xBet case, a name that’s been popping up frequently in financial probes.
This visit isn’t just a minor event. It shows how authorities are cracking down on online betting platforms. Urvashi Rautela is deeply connected to this particular platform. She serves as the brand’s ambassador for India. The platform itself is registered on the Caribbean island of Curacao. Sources say that the investigative agency has begun recording her statement. This process falls under the rules of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA).
Urvashi is not the only famous face caught in this widening net. Over the past few weeks, many celebrities have been questioned. This list includes well-known cricketers like Yuvraj Singh, Suresh Raina, Robin Uthappa, and Shikhar Dhawan. Actors such as Sonu Sood, Mimi Chakraborty (who also served as a Member of Parliament), and Bengali cinema star Ankush Hazra have also faced questioning. Even some online personalities and influencers are part of this extensive inquiry.
The core of the issue involves how advertising fees from the 1xBet portal were allegedly used. Investigators suspect that some of these celebrities used the money they received for endorsements to buy various assets. Under the PMLA, these assets could be considered “proceeds of crime.” This means the money gained from illegal activities was used to purchase them.
This tough stance by the authorities follows a major change in government policy. Recently, the central government passed a law that banned real-money online gaming across the country. Before this ban came into effect, market research showed just how popular these apps were. Estimates from analysis firms and investigative bodies suggested that about 220 million people in India used such online betting apps. A significant portion, about half of these users, were regular players. The ongoing probe highlights the serious consequences for anyone linked to these now-banned platforms.