Mumbai: Bollywood actor and model Urvashi Rautela appeared before the Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Tuesday for questioning in an ongoing money laundering probe linked to the online betting platform 1xBet. The agency is investigating alleged financial irregularities involving surrogate advertising and fund transfers related to the platform.
According to sources cited by news agency PTI, Rautela’s statement is being recorded under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA). She had been summoned by the agency earlier this month, as she is known to have served as a brand ambassador for the betting platform, which is reportedly based in Curacao.
The ED’s investigation has widened in recent weeks, targeting celebrities, sportspersons, and digital platforms believed to have promoted or financially benefited from illegal online betting operations. Officials claim several of these betting sites used social media and digital advertisements to lure users and collect funds unlawfully.
The probe also involves questioning representatives of major tech firms such as Google and Meta over ad revenues linked to the promotion of betting apps.
In earlier developments, the agency had questioned cricketers like Shikhar Dhawan, Yuvraj Singh, Suresh Raina, and Robin Uthappa. Actors including Sonu Sood, Ankush Hazra, and Mimi Chakraborty were also summoned for their alleged association with similar platforms.
Sources say the ED is looking into the payments made to these celebrities for endorsements, how those transactions were conducted, and whether the funds were used to purchase properties or other assets. Assets acquired through such transactions could be considered “proceeds of crime” under the PMLA and may be subject to attachment.
The betting platform 1xBet promotes itself as a global bookmaker, allowing users to place bets on a wide range of sports. However, with the introduction of the Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Act by the Union Government, advertisements and financial transactions related to real-money online betting have been strictly prohibited.
The ED’s investigation continues as it works to uncover the extent of financial flow through illegal betting platforms and the potential misuse of celebrity influence in promoting them.
