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After Raina, Dhawan, ED Summons Robin Uthappa In Illegal Betting Apps Probe

Soumyajit Dutta

Robin Uthappa gets summoned by ED [Source: @lajvanti/X.com]Robin Uthappa gets summoned by ED [Source: @lajvanti/X.com]

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has expanded its investigation into illegal online betting platforms by summoning former Indian cricketer Robin Uthappa for questioning. 

The right-handed batter has been asked to appear at the ED headquarters on September 22 to record his statement under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), becoming the latest high-profile name to be drawn into the widening probe.

Robin Uthappa's summons follows the agency's recent questioning of other cricketing stars Suresh Raina and Shikhar Dhawan, as part of a comprehensive investigation into several illegal betting platforms accused of money laundering and violating foreign exchange laws through surrogate advertisements.

Uthappa Third Cricketer Questioned in Probe

The financial crimes probe agency has been systematically calling in celebrities from sports and entertainment to understand their connections with the controversial betting apps, particularly focusing on endorsement fees and communication patterns.

Earlier, Raina and Shikhar Dhawan were questioned by the financial crimes probe agency on August 13 and September 4, respectively in this case.

The ED has been calling several celebrities to understand their links with the betting apps, any endorsement fee earned and the mode of communication between them.

Government Crackdown on Betting Advertisements

The investigation follows repeated advisories from the government against advertising online betting platforms, which continue to operate through surrogate advertisements despite being banned.

In 2023, the Union Ministry of Information and broadcasting issued four advisories to newspapers, broadcast news channels, entertainment channels, publishers of online news and current affairs content, online advertisement intermediaries (like Google and Facebook), and social media platforms to not advertise online betting platforms.

Despite these instructions from the Centre that advertisements of online betting platforms are not permitted, eminent personalities in the field of entertainment and sports endorsed them. The scale of the issue is substantial, with estimates suggesting around 220 million Indian users engaged on various betting apps, including 110 million regular users.