Bollywood star Sonu Sood landed at the Enforcement Directorate (ED) office in New Delhi on Wednesday, September 24, 2025, to appear for detection of evidence recording in a money laundering case related to the banned online betting website 1xBet, which is owned by Russians.
The 52-year-old actor, known for his philanthropic work and starring roles in films such as Fateh, reached the ED office at around 12 pm with his lawyers. He was dressed in a green shirt, black sunglasses, and a mask covering his face before entering the building.
Background of the 1xBet Case
This is the latest development in the ED’s investigation into 1xBet, a Curacao-registered online bookmaker which, according to allegations, has scammed and looted ordinary as well as high-profile punters and bagmen out of huge sums of money while shirking taxes.
Key points about 1xBet:
- Provides betting on different sports and casino games.
- Banned in India due to illegal operations.
- Despite the ban, it reportedly remained operational, prompting the ED to investigate its activities under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA).
Celebrity Involvement
Sood’s questioning comes after other celebrities linked to 1xBet were also interrogated.
Notable figures already questioned:
- Former cricketers: Robin Uthappa, Yuvraj Singh
- Actors: Mimi Chakraborty, Urvashi Rautela, Bengali actor Ankush Hazra
The ED is investigating:
- The nature of their relationship with 1xBet.
- How they were approached or contacted for promotion or endorsements.
- Mode of payment received.
- Whether they were aware of the illegal status of 1xBet in India.
- Instances where social media posts were used to spread messages using fake money.
Objective of the ED Probe
The ED’s investigation seeks to determine:
- If the money paid to celebrities can be classified as “proceeds of crime” under the PMLA.
- Whether contracts and personal exchanges between the stars and 1xBet violated financial regulations.
Wider Context: Illegal Online Betting in India
The 1xBet crackdown is part of a broader government campaign against illegal online betting.
Key statistics and measures:
- The Union government’s recent bill against Real Money Online Games reflects growing awareness of the impact on individuals’ lives and finances.
- Before the ban, an estimated 22 crore Indians were active on various online betting apps, with nearly half being regular users.
- The Indian online betting industry was valued at over USD 100 billion and growing at a rate of 30% per year.
- To curb illegal platforms, the government issued over 1,500 orders between 2022 and June 2025.
Conclusion
Sonu Sood’s appearance at the ED office marks a significant development in the ongoing investigation into illegal online betting operations in India. The probe is expected to continue, and more personalities associated with such platforms may be summoned in the future.
The case highlights the risks celebrities face when endorsing or promoting unregulated online platforms and underscores the government’s commitment to tackling illegal betting activities.
