The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has provisionally attached assets worth ₹11.14 crore belonging to former Indian cricketers Suresh Raina and Shikhar Dhawan.
The move comes as part of a money-laundering investigation under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) linked to the promotion and operations of the alleged illegal online betting platform 1xBet.
What Was Attached?
The ED attached mutual fund investments valued at about ₹6.64 crore in the name of Suresh Raina. The agency also attached immovable property worth about ₹4.5 crore in the name of Shikhar Dhawan.
How the Investigation Unfolded?
The ED’s probe found that the platform 1xBet and its surrogates allegedly operated in India without authorisation. The investigation showed that large sums were collected from Indian users, routed through multiple accounts and payment gateways, and efforts were made to mask the origin of funds.
According to the agency, both Suresh Raina and Shikhar Dhawan “knowingly” entered endorsement deals with foreign entities tied to 1xBet’s promotion. The funds for these endorsements were routed through intermediaries to conceal their illicit origin.
Wider Connections and Probe Scope
Beyond these two cricketers, the ED has also questioned several other prominent figures in related investigations — including former cricketers and actors.
The scale of the betting network being probed appears to be large. The ED referenced the use of thousands of “mule accounts” and payment-gateway mechanisms that did not match normal business activity, pointing to the laundering of funds exceeding ₹1,000 crore.
Endorsements, Sports Integrity & the Brand Risk
While the headline focuses on the financial attachment, a critical dimension is the reputational risk for sports personalities endorsing platforms without clarity on their legality. The case highlights how endorsement deals—even by respected former players—can become entangled in larger illicit schemes.
It raises questions about governance, due diligence by athletes and their management teams, and the responsibility sports stars carry when lending their name to brands.
What It Mean?
The attachment underlines the ED’s commitment to stemming illegal online betting and money laundering. The involvement of high-profile sports figures signals increased regulatory scrutiny of endorsements tied to overseas betting entities.
For the cricketing community and wider sports endorsement market, this may trigger tighter compliance norms and brand-vetting processes.
For the public, it underscores the link between unregulated digital betting platforms and financial crime – and how that can ripple into mainstream sport. The enforcement action is not just about numbers — it is about safeguarding the integrity of sport, the accountability of endorsements, and the financial transparency of digital-betting ecosystems.
