ED summons Shikhar Dhawan in illegal betting app case

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has summoned former Indian cricketer Shikhar Dhawan in connection with its ongoing investigation into an alleged illegal betting app-linked money laundering case. The development comes only days after the central agency grilled former cricketer Suresh Raina for nearly eight hours in the same matter.

According to sources, Dhawan has been directed to appear before the agency’s Delhi headquarters on Thursday, September 4, for detailed questioning. The case is linked to the betting platform 1xBet, which is already under the ED’s radar for alleged violations of multiple financial and cyber laws. Officials believe Dhawan’s association with the app came through endorsement deals, and his questioning will focus on this angle.

“Once he deposes, the ED is expected to record his statements under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA),” a source said as quoted by Indian Express.

“During questioning, they asked him how he was approached by the owners of a betting app, how money was paid to him, where they paid the tax and about several money transactions,” a source added regarding Raina's investigation.

Earlier, Raina’s testimony was also recorded under provisions of the PMLA, and the ED is expected to follow a similar process with Dhawan. The central agency has been actively investigating multiple betting and gambling apps that allegedly defrauded investors of crores of rupees while simultaneously evading large sums in taxes.

Preliminary findings have revealed potential violations not only under the PMLA but also under the Information Technology Act and the Foreign Exchange Management Act (FEMA). These violations point to a larger network of financial irregularities involving digital platforms and offshore entities.

The government’s recent policy move has also set the context for this crackdown. The newly introduced Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Bill 2025 has imposed a blanket ban on all real-money gaming, which directly impacts fantasy gaming, online betting, and gambling websites.

The ED’s probe into Dhawan’s links is being seen as part of this larger effort to regulate and curb illegal online betting in India.