Former India cricketer Suresh Raina has been summoned by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) to its Delhi office on Wednesday, August 13, for questioning in a money laundering case linked to controversial betting platforms, including 1xBet. The probe also extends to other illegal betting apps that have allegedly siphoned off crores from Indian users.
This development comes months after Telangana Police registered cases against 25 actors, including Rana Daggubati and Prakash Raj, for their association with similar betting platforms. The actors maintained they had stopped such endorsements and had only promoted them in jurisdictions where online skill-based games are permitted.
According to reports, Raina’s name has surfaced due to his alleged endorsement links to one such platform. His statement will be recorded under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA). ED officials are expected to question him on his association, payment structure, and knowledge of the platform’s operations.
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Investigators allege that these betting apps not only launder money but also dodge massive tax liabilities. They are accused of cheating users, channeling illicit funds through complex routes, and paying media outlets and other entities to run advertisements. The ED is also tracking leads across multiple cities to map the network and identify the beneficiaries.
As per the Hindustan Times, enforcement officials revealed that such illegal platforms frequently change names to escape regulatory action, while celebrity endorsements significantly enhance their reach. Shockingly, authorities estimate that 220 million Indians have used betting apps, with 110 million being regular users. In the first quarter of 2025 alone, these platforms registered over 1.6 billion visits, with India’s online betting market pegged at nearly $100 million.
VIDEO | Delhi: Former Indian cricketer Suresh Raina appeared before the Enforcement Directorate (ED) for questioning in an alleged illegal betting app-linked money laundering case.
The federal probe agency will record his statement under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act… pic.twitter.com/OcTueUS121
— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) August 13, 2025
“These platforms are operating in direct violation of government regulations and legal directives. The scale of user engagement is unprecedented,” an ED official was quoted as saying.
For cricket fans, the news comes as a surprise given Raina’s illustrious career. The stylish left-hander scored 5,615 runs in 226 ODIs, 1,605 runs in 78 T20Is, and 768 runs in 18 Tests. He also chipped in with crucial wickets — 36 in ODIs and 13 in T20Is — and remains one of the few players to score centuries in all three international formats.
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Raina was instrumental in India’s 2011 Cricket World Cup triumph, playing key knocks in pressure situations, and was part of the victorious 2013 Champions Trophy squad. Fondly called Mr. IPL by fans, he was the heartbeat of Chennai Super Kings, known for his fearless batting, electric fielding, and team-first spirit.
