Indian cricketer Shikhar Dhawan has been summoned by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in connection with a widening investigation into illegal online betting platforms. The probe, which has already implicated several celebrities including Suresh Raina, Prakash Raj, and Rana Daggubati, now extends to Dhawan’s alleged promotional ties to betting apps suspected of laundering money and misleading users.
The Case: A Growing Celebrity Nexus
The ED’s investigation centers on endorsements of platforms such as JeetWin, Lotus365, and Junglee Rummy—apps allegedly operating outside India’s legal framework. Authorities suspect that promotional content, often disguised as entertainment or charity-driven messaging, may have misled users into participating in illegal gambling.
According to India Today Exclusive: ED’s Betting App Crackdown Snares …, the crackdown has revealed a complex web of financial transactions and influencer marketing strategies that may have facilitated money laundering. Dhawan’s summons follows similar action against Suresh Raina, who was reportedly appointed a gaming ambassador by one such platform.
Shikhar Dhawan’s Alleged Role
While Dhawan has not been formally charged, his summons indicates that investigators are examining whether he received endorsement fees for promoting betting platforms. His name joins a growing list of public figures under scrutiny, including actors Shraddha Kapoor and Kapil Sharma, as highlighted in Ranbir Kapoor के बाद Shraddha और Kapil को ED ने पूछताछ के ….
Sources suggest Dhawan may be asked to clarify the nature of his association with the apps, including whether he was aware of their legal status and operational reach.
Civic Impact and Public Response
The probe has reignited debate over celebrity accountability and the ethical boundaries of digital endorsements. Several complainants allege financial losses after being influenced by promotional content featuring well-known personalities. One businessman reportedly lost ₹3 crore after engaging with a betting app promoted via social media.
The ED is now assessing whether these endorsements constituted a coordinated effort to funnel users toward unauthorized platforms, potentially facilitating money laundering.
Legal and Social Repercussions
Online betting remains illegal in most Indian states under the Public Gambling Act of 1867 and state-specific gaming laws. The case underscores the urgent need for clearer regulatory frameworks around influencer marketing, especially in sectors prone to financial exploitation.
As the investigation deepens, Dhawan’s testimony could shape the legal narrative around celebrity complicity and digital consumer protection.
