Suresh Raina, the former India cricketer, has been summoned by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) for questioning. He is expected to appear at their Delhi office on Wednesday to help with an investigation into illegal betting websites. ED is investigating multiple leads across various cities as part of a massive probe into digital platforms that are cheating users and laundering money. Raina has to depose before the agency on August 13 in an illegal betting case related to the app 1xBet.
According to Indian Express report, ED believes Raina has some connection with the app through endorsements. Officials want to confirm this through questioning. Agency is looking into several similar cases involving illegal betting apps that are cheating many individuals and investors.
In May, Telangana police filed charges against 25 celebrities including Rana Daggubati and Prakash Raj. Both the actors have denied any involvement in illegal activities, saying they no longer support such platforms. They said when they endorsed them in the past, the campaigns were restricted to areas where online skill-based games are allowed by law.
On Monday, Rana Daggubati appeared before the Enforcement Directorate in Hyderabad. He was there to help with the current probe into the suspected illegal promotion of online betting platforms. He was called earlier on July 23 but asked for more time as he had film commitments. His appearance was then rescheduled for August 11.
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ED is also looking into the financial dealings and digital activity of several other celebrities mentioned in the FIR including actors Manchu Lakshmi, Nidhi Agarwal, Ananya Nagalla and TV host Srimukhi.
In just three months of 2025, there were over 1.6 billion visits to illegal betting websites and apps. India’s online betting market is estimated to be worth $100 million.
A Hindustan Times officer said these platforms are against multiple laws and guidelines set by the Indian government. It is estimated that 220 million Indian users are using various betting apps and 110 million of them are regular users.These illegal apps are evading taxes of around Rs 27,000 crore every year. Sources say this money is being laundered through crypto wallets, small cash withdrawals from ATMs in Tamil Nadu and small UPI transfers.
