Illegal Betting App Case: Suresh Raina Appears Before ED
The federal probe agency will record Raina's statement under PMLA as part of this investigation is linked to an "illegal" betting app named 1xBet, the sources said
NEW DELHI: Former Indian cricketer Suresh Raina was questioned by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Wednesday in connection with an alleged illegal online betting app-linked money laundering case.
He arrived at the agency’s office around 11 am and was seen interacting with ED staff and CISF personnel before entering the premises.
The Central probe agency recorded his statement under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act as part of its investigation into a sports betting application named “1xBet,” sources said.
Raina is understood to have been linked to the app through certain endorsements, and investigators sought details about his association with it, any endorsement fees received, and the mode of communication between him and the app’s representatives, the sources added.
Recently, the agency summoned representatives of Google and Meta for questioning as part of this probe. It also conducted multi-state searches on Tuesday in connection with a separate investigation into another online betting app named “Parimatch.”
The ED has been probing multiple cases involving illegal betting apps accused of duping numerous people and investors of crores of rupees or evading substantial amounts in taxes.
According to estimates by market analysis firms and investigative agencies, about 22 crore Indians use various online betting apps, with approximately half (around 11 crore) being regular users. The online betting app market in India is valued at over $100 billion and is growing at an estimated 30 per cent annually, experts say.
The government informed Parliament last month that from 2022 to June 2025, it has issued 1,524 orders to block online betting and gambling platforms.
Minister of state for electronics and information technology Jitin Prasada told the Lok Sabha in a written reply that the Directorate General of GST Intelligence headquarters is empowered under the Information Technology Act, 2000, and the IGST Act to direct intermediaries to block unregistered online money gaming platforms, including offshore platforms, violating the IGST Act.
He further stated that suppliers of online money gaming services are also regulated under the Integrated Goods and Services Tax Act, 2017.
