Actor Sonu Sood was questioned by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) for nearly seven hours on Wednesday in connection to a money-laundering case linked to the online betting application 1xBet. Sood arrived at the ED's office in central Delhi around noon with his legal team and left around 7 p.m. During this time, the investigating officer recorded his statement under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA).
The ED's investigation is part of a broader probe into the operations of online betting apps, which are accused of defrauding users and evading taxes. The agency is examining endorsement deals and potential illegal proceeds linked to online betting activities in India. The probe is also looking into how celebrities were approached and the use of funds received by them to determine if the earnings can be categorized as "proceeds of crime" under the PMLA.
The ED has been questioning several high-profile individuals, including former cricketers Suresh Raina, Shikhar Dhawan, Robin Uthappa, and Yuvraj Singh, as well as actors Mimi Chakraborty and Ankush Hazra, in connection with the 1xBet case. Some female social media influencers have also been questioned. The agency is asking those questioned if they were aware that online betting and gaming are illegal in India and has requested copies of their contracts and related documentation with 1xBet.
The 1xBet app is described as a global bookmaker with 18 years in the betting business, offering bets on thousands of sporting events via its app and website available in 70 languages. The company is registered in Curacao.
The Indian government has recently banned real money online gaming in India by bringing in new legislation. The ED may soon begin attaching assets belonging to individuals found to be using proceeds of crime generated through the app's promotions. Once sufficient evidence is gathered, a chargesheet is expected to be filed in court.
Authorities allege that 1xBet operated illegally in India and was involved in multiple irregularities. The ED's investigation seeks to determine if any of the celebrities or athletes involved can be categorized as having benefitted from the "proceeds of crime" under the PMLA.
