ED Questions Urvashi Rautela in Money Laundering Probe Linked to 1xBet Betting Platform

Mumbai, September 30, 2025: Bollywood actor and model Urvashi Rautela appeared before the Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Tuesday in connection with a money laundering investigation tied to online betting platform 1xBet. Officials confirmed that her statement was recorded under provisions of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA).

Rautela, who earlier served as a brand ambassador for the platform, had been summoned this month as part of the agency’s broader crackdown on illegal betting operations. The platform, reportedly headquartered in Curacao, is alleged to have engaged in surrogate advertising and illicit fund transfers.

The investigation has widened in recent weeks to include not just celebrities but also major tech firms such as Google and Meta, which are being questioned over advertising revenues linked to betting promotions. Officials allege that online betting operators exploited social media and digital platforms to target Indian users and unlawfully mobilize funds.

Earlier, the ED had summoned several well-known cricketers, including Shikhar Dhawan, Yuvraj Singh, Suresh Raina, and Robin Uthappa, along with actors like Sonu Sood, Ankush Hazra, and Mimi Chakraborty, for their alleged association with similar platforms. Investigators are scrutinizing endorsement payments, fund flows, and whether those earnings were diverted into properties or other assets, which could qualify as proceeds of crime under the PMLA.

Authorities noted that with the enactment of the Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Act, the government has banned advertisements and financial dealings connected to real-money betting platforms. The ED continues to track money trails and assess the role of celebrity endorsements in bolstering these illegal networks.