The viral effect of the cricket and Bollywood took an interesting turn this week, as the Enforcement Directorate (ED) sent summons to some of the most recognizable faces in India. Cricket and actor Sonu Sood, former cricketers Robin Uthappa and Yuvraj Singh have been requested to meet investigators in a case into money laundering related to the online betting site 1xBet. To those who were used to screaming on the behalf of Yuvraj six sixes or cheering Sood in his real humanitarian endeavors, the news was an eye opener and another twist to a case that has gradually broadened its margins in recent months.
The officials indicated that Robin Uthappa will have to appear on September 22, Yuvraj Singh on September 23, and Sonu Sood on September 24. All of them will be investigated based on the Prevention of Money Laundering Act, and investigators are eager to learn more about their relationship with the promotion exercises of the betting app. One of the officials gave a very clear explanation of the rationale: Investigators think that celebrity-related promotional activities and financial tracks that are associated with the brand can be instrumental in determining the flow of money behind the app. In the case of the ED, it is not about star power but doing the paper trail which might reveal how the money changed hands.
The summons form a wider narrative that has already attracted other popular personalities. Questions have already been raised against former Indian cricketers Shikhar Dhawan and Suresh Raina. Actor Mimi Chakraborty and Bengali actor Ankush Hazra made their statements in the film industry on Monday and Tuesday. Urvashi Rautela, who was declared as 1xBet brand ambassador in India, has also been requested to feature in it, but has not yet done so. The list of names informs investigators just how far promotional network of betting apps may go in terms of entertainment and sport.
In the middle of it all is 1xBet, a platform which offers to be a global bookmaker. It boasts of being an international success story as its operations are claimed to be distributed in dozens of countries and the company has a site which offers more than seventy languages. But behind this reticent paper there is a darker side. The investigation of the ED is premised on the claims that this kind of platforms defrauded investors with crores of rupees and evaded paying taxes. The fact that the company does not do its business by the offshore registries makes it hard to directly control and penalize, which forces the Indian investigators to look closer to home regarding the participation of promoters and endorsers.
The investigation also reminds of the previous betting scandals. Money trails have in the past resulted in wallets and accounts that were allegedly linked to Chinese nationals and this has brought about concern on cross-border financial crime. However, this time the case of 1xBet has placed big names into the spotlight but Chinese authorities have not responded to the situation publicly. The silence is very impressive, particularly because previous investigations tended to identify China-related operatives. It still leaves unanswered questions on who really runs these platforms and why foreign reactions are not forthcoming.
At least, now all eyes will be on the questioning that will be held next week. The ED will be interested in knowing whether the celebrities in question actively advertised a platform that has now been questioned, or whether they were just a promotion of a brand without knowing its evil side. The responses may spell the difference between this case being seen as a tale of endorsements gone amok, or maybe a much bigger case, involving international actors and moving the diplomatic discourse.
In addition to the legal specifics, the case also addresses the dangers that common citizens have. These betting applications may appear as an innocent way to have fun to fans, who are tempted by glitzy adverts or the presence of their favourite stars. However, as the ED investigation reveals, behind the glamour there is a trail of money, losses and unanswered questions. What can pass as the opportunity to make a good profit can be merely a connection in an international web of financial misdeeds. And after all, the ED demands, it will trace the cash wherever it goes.
