In a stunning development that has rocked the Indian cricketing world, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) has provisionally attached assets worth a staggering ₹11.14 crore belonging to former Indian cricket heroes Suresh Raina and Shikhar Dhawan. This decisive action is a direct consequence of their alleged involvement in the sprawling 1xBet scandal, an illegal offshore betting operation that has ensnared several high-profile celebrities. But how did two of India’s most beloved cricketers get caught in this web? Let’s dive into the details.
The ED, India’s premier financial investigation agency, has issued a provisional attachment order under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA). This legal move effectively freezes the identified assets, preventing their sale or transfer while the investigation into the 1xBet scandal is ongoing . The agency’s probe stems from multiple First Information Reports (FIRs) filed by various state police forces against the operators of 1xBet and its numerous surrogate brands like 1xBat .
The core of the ED’s case is not that Raina and Dhawan placed bets on the platform, but that they allegedly entered into endorsement agreements with foreign entities. These entities were, in fact, fronts for the illegal 1xBet operation, which is banned in India. The ED alleges that both cricketers “knowingly” signed these deals to promote 1xBet’s surrogate betting brands to their massive Indian fan base .
Payments for these endorsements were channeled through complex foreign routes, a tactic the ED believes was designed to conceal the illicit origin of the funds and integrate them into the legitimate financial system—a classic sign of money laundering . This is a critical point, as it moves the issue from a simple breach of conduct to a potential criminal financial offense.
The ₹11.14 crore attachment is split between the two cricketers, with the ED identifying specific properties and investments:
This targeted approach shows the ED has traced the alleged illicit funds to these specific, high-value assets.
The case involving Raina and Dhawan is just one thread in a much larger tapestry. The 1xBet scandal has become a focal point for the Indian government’s crackdown on the estimated ₹8.3 lakh crore illegal online betting market . The ED’s probe has already roped in other celebrities.
Former cricketer Robin Uthappa has been questioned extensively, and big names like Yuvraj Singh and actor Sonu Sood have also been summoned for questioning . This indicates a systematic effort to dismantle the entire promotional and financial network of these illegal betting apps, which often use celebrity endorsements to appear legitimate and lure unsuspecting users .
You can learn more about the legal framework surrounding online gambling in India from this overview by the India Code, the official government repository for all statutes.
Both cricketers have been questioned by the ED in the past, with Dhawan reportedly facing an 8-hour interrogation in September 2025 . The provisional attachment of their assets is a significant escalation. They now have a legal window to present their defense and prove that the funds used to acquire these assets were from legitimate sources and that they were unaware of the true nature of the companies they endorsed. The outcome of this process will be crucial for their reputations and financial standing.
The ED’s action against Suresh Raina and Shikhar Dhawan in the 1xBet scandal serves as a stark warning to all public figures. It highlights the immense legal and financial risks associated with endorsing overseas brands, especially in highly regulated or illegal sectors like online betting. Due diligence is no longer just a good practice; it’s a necessity to avoid being entangled in serious financial crimes. For fans, it’s a sobering reminder that the line between a lucrative brand deal and a legal minefield can be perilously thin.
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