Suresh Raina named in ED’s illegal betting crackdown; appearance set for August 13

Once celebrated for his fearless batting and electric fielding, Suresh Raina now finds himself facing questions of a different kind. The former India cricketer has been summoned by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) to appear at its Delhi office on Wednesday, August 13, in connection with an ongoing investigation into illegal betting platforms, including the controversial app 1xBet.

According to the Hindustan Times, Raina’s name emerged during the agency’s probe into alleged money laundering under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA). He is understood to have been associated with the betting app through certain endorsements, and investigators are expected to examine his links and role during questioning.

The summons comes as part of a sweeping crackdown by the ED against betting apps accused of duping users, evading taxes, and operating despite government bans. Officials say these platforms often rebrand under new names to skirt regulations, with celebrity endorsements playing a major role in their promotion. “These platforms are in violation of multiple laws and directions by the Indian government… It is estimated that around 22 crore (220 million) Indian users are currently engaged on various betting apps, and 11 crore (110 million) of these are regular users,” an officer told HT.

Suresh Raina not the only celebrity involved

Raina is not the only public figure under the scanner. The investigation has already seen prominent actors like Rana Daggubati, Prakash Raj, Vijay Deverakonda, and Lakshmi Manchu questioned over their links to such platforms. Just this week, ED teams searched 15 locations across Mumbai, Delhi-NCR, Hyderabad, Jaipur, Madurai, and Surat as part of a separate probe into the ‘Parimatch’ betting racket.

The scale of the issue is staggering. ED estimates suggest around 22 crore Indians use betting apps, with 11 crore being regular users. In just the first quarter of 2025, these platforms recorded over 1.6 billion visits, with the market potentially worth $100 million. Authorities believe top apps are evading up to ₹27,000 crore in taxes annually. In one case, investigators allege that more than ₹2,000 crore collected from duped users was funnelled through mule, and laundered through crypto wallets and small cash withdrawals.

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