Indian cricketer Suresh Raina summoned by ED in illegal betting case

STC NEWS DESK
SRINAGAR, AUGUST 13 (STC): Popular Indian cricketer Suresh Raina has been summoned by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in connection with an investigation into illegal betting platforms.
According to reports, Raina has been called to record his statement under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) in a case linked to betting app 1xBet. The agency suspects possible links through endorsements and aims to clarify his role during questioning.
Illegal betting apps like 1xBet have reportedly rebranded multiple times and been promoted by celebrities and influencers.
According to official estimates, around 22 crore Indians use such apps, with 11 crore being regular users. The online betting market in India is pegged at $100 million, allegedly causing annual tax evasion of about Rs.27,000 crore.
In the first three months of 2025 alone, illegal betting platforms recorded over 1.6 billion visits. On Tuesday, the ED raided 15 locations in Mumbai, Delhi-NCR, Hyderabad, Jaipur, Madurai, and Surat in connection with another betting app, ‘Parimatch’. The probe stems from a 2024 case registered by Mumbai Cyber Police.

(Straight Talk Communications)