New Delhi: Former India cricketer Shikhar Dhawan appeared before the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in New Delhi on Thursday in connection with a money laundering probe related to an alleged illegal betting app.
Officials said Dhawan reached the ED office in central Delhi around 11 am, where his statement was recorded under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA). Sources said the investigation is linked to the betting app 1xBet, with which Dhawan is believed to have had endorsement-related connections. The agency questioned him to ascertain the nature of his links with the platform.
The ED is investigating multiple cases involving illegal betting apps, which, according to officials, have been used to cheat investors of crores of rupees and evade large amounts of taxes. Last month, former cricketer Suresh Raina was also questioned in the same case.
The central government has recently enacted a law banning online gaming involving money. Data shared in Parliament shows that 1,524 orders were issued to block betting and gambling platforms between 2022 and June 2025.
Experts estimate India’s online betting market to be worth more than USD 100 billion, growing at about 30 per cent annually, with nearly 22 crore users, of which around 11 crore are regular participants.
