ED attaches assets of Yuvraj Singh, Sonu Sood, and others in illegal online betting base

Mangalore Today News Network

New Delhi, December 20, 2025: The Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Friday attached assets worth nearly ₹8 crore belonging to former cricketers, actors, and models—including Yuvraj Singh, Robin Uthappa, Sonu Sood, Mimi Chakraborty, and others—linked to an “illegal” betting app, 1xBet.

Other individuals whose assets were attached include model Neha Sharma, Bengali actor Ankush Hazra, and Meera Rautela, mother of actor and 1xBet India Ambassador Urvashi Rautela.

The ED warned celebrities and social media influencers that endorsing or promoting illegal gambling platforms, even indirectly, is a punishable offense under Indian law.

According to the agency, the total value of properties seized under a fresh provisional attachment order under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) is ₹7.93 crore. The breakdown includes:

Sonu Sood: ₹1 crore

Mimi Chakraborty: ₹59 lakh

Yuvraj Singh’s company YWC Health and Wellness Pvt. Ltd.: ₹2.5 crore

Neha Sharma: ₹1.26 crore

Robin Uthappa: ₹8.26 lakh

Ankush Hazra: ₹47.2 lakh

Meera Rautela: ₹2.02 crore

The ED alleged that these celebrities “knowingly” endorsed 1xBet through surrogate arrangements, receiving payments routed via foreign entities to hide the illicit origin of the funds.

Curacao-based 1xBet reportedly operated in India without authorization, targeting users through social media, online videos, and print media. Its surrogate brand, 1xBat, was also involved in promoting and facilitating illegal online betting.

This money-laundering probe stems from multiple FIRs filed by state police agencies. In a similar action in October, the ED had attached assets worth ₹11.14 crore of former cricketers Shikhar Dhawan and Suresh Raina.

The government recently passed legislation banning real-money online gaming in India. Before the ban, market estimates suggested that around 22 crore Indians used such platforms, with half being regular users.

The ED cautioned that illegal betting and gambling platforms cause serious economic harm and are frequently used for money laundering. The public is advised to avoid such platforms and report suspicious transactions to law enforcement or the ED.