A huge scandal has hit India as three of its former cricket heroes—Yuvraj Singh, Harbhajan Singh, and Suresh Raina—and Bollywood actress Urvashi Rautela are now at the eye of a betting-related probe initiated by the Enforcement Directorate (ED).
ED Interrogates Stars Over Accusation Of Promoting Illegal Betting Apps
The Enforcement Directorate has launched a probe into alleged promotional activities linked to unauthorized online betting platforms. Yuvraj, Harbhajan, Raina, and Urvashi Rautela are suspected of promoting or endorsing these websites, in particular 1XBET, which is illegal in India.
Sources state that these celebrities are being interrogated for accepting work related to advertising content of apps that route users to gambling websites under the pretext of sports-based platforms.
1XBET and Other Websites Under Scrutiny
The essence of the probe is sites that pose as legitimate sports hosts but privately operate with pre-programmed algorithms meant for gambling, a flagrant breach of Indian cyber and gambling regulations.
authorities uncovered that some websites and mobile applications were employing names close to 1XBET with the intent to mislead people. Such sites slyly redirected Indian customers to offshore or prohibited betting platforms, which is a criminal offense.
Advertising Campaigns Worth Crores Raise Eyebrows
As per officials, more than ₹50 crore was invested by 1XBET and other sites in advertisement campaigns. Most of this amount is said to have been used on celebrity endorsements, online advertisements, and influencer-led marketing efforts to attract young users.
It was the high level of promotion that set off the investigation by the ED, questioning how such illegal activities found their way to mainstream websites without being traced.
Inner Circles’ Silence
Though the inquiry is in progress, Yuvraj Singh and Suresh Raina’s close friends have refused to make any comments on the subject. Urvashi Rautela, as well as other Bollywood artists such as Sonu Sood, have also been implicated in similar promotions but are at present under scrutiny regarding their involvement.
Legal Loopholes and Celebrity Responsibility
This episode has again raised the issue of increased concern for celebrity endorsement of untested online platforms. With their enormous influence, celebrities are being held responsible for endorsing applications or services that could take advantage of public trust and contravene Indian law.
The accused parties may be legally penalized, financially liable, or suffer reputational losses depending on the extent of their involvement.
Conclusion: A Wake-Up Call for Influencer Marketing?
The deepening scandal involving a few of India’s biggest sports and movie stars has led to a larger discussion regarding ethical endorsements and whether there should be more regulation in online advertising.
As the probe by the ED goes deeper, more names may emerge, and the fallout could redefine how celebrities deal with brand deals, particularly in the fintech and gaming sectors.