While political debates continue over cricket diplomacy, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) is tightening its net around celebrities allegedly linked to illegal online betting platforms.

AIMIM leader Asaduddin Owaisi recently stirred political debate, saying that playing cricket with those responsible for making “our daughters widows” should not be seen as a true measure of national victory. His remarks were in the context of the India-Pakistan Asia Cup match, played just months after deadly cross-border hostilities.

But beyond the pitch, the spotlight is now on prominent names in sports and entertainment — not for their performances, but for their alleged connections to online betting platforms.

Cricketers Under the Scanner

According to ED officials, cricketer Robin Uthappa has been summoned to appear before the agency on September 22, and Yuvraj Singh has been asked to appear a day later, on September 23. Both are expected to record their statements under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA).

Earlier, former Indian cricketers Suresh Raina and Shikhar Dhawan were also questioned in this case — on August 13 and September 4, respectively.

Actors and Influencers Also Being Questioned

The probe has also reached the entertainment industry. Former Trinamool Congress MP and Bengali actress Mimi Chakraborty was questioned on Monday, while popular Bengali actor Ankush Hazra was being grilled on Tuesday.

Bollywood actress Urvashi Rautela was also expected to appear on Tuesday, but she hadn’t arrived at the ED office by the time of filing this report, officials said.

Sources say the agency is questioning celebrities to understand whether they were involved in promoting illegal betting apps, whether they received any payments for endorsements, and how they communicated with these platforms.

Tech Giants Also Under ED's Radar

This is not just about celebrities. In July, ED also summoned representatives from tech giants Google and Meta (parent company of Facebook and Instagram), to understand the role of ad placements and possible financial transactions linked to these apps.

The investigation has revealed that several illegal betting platforms, despite being banned, are still operational — often under new names — and continue to advertise through social media, influencer collaborations, and app stores.

Warnings Ignored Despite Government Advisories

In 2023, the Union Ministry of Information and Broadcasting issued four separate advisories warning newspapers, TV channels, digital publishers, social media platforms, and ad intermediaries like Google and Facebook not to promote online betting platforms.

Despite these warnings, several celebrities from the sports and entertainment worlds continued to endorse such apps, many of which now face investigation. ED officials said more high-profile names may be summoned soon.

Massive User Base, Massive Risk

According to ED estimates, around 220 million Indians have used online betting platforms — with nearly 110 million being regular users. Many of these platforms are accused of tax evasion, money laundering, and violating the Foreign Exchange Management Act (FEMA), as they allegedly route large sums of money out of India through illegal channels.

“These platforms operate in violation of multiple laws and continue to flourish, often with the help of celebrity endorsements and digital promotions,” an ED officer said.

As the investigation unfolds, what started as a probe into online gambling is now revealing a tangled web of money, media, and influence — with some of India's biggest names under the scanner.