ED questions actor Neha Sharma in 1xBet online betting probe

Bollywood actor and model Neha Sharma appeared before the Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Tuesday for questioning in connection with a money laundering investigation involving online betting platform 1xBet, officials said. Her statement is being recorded under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), as per reports.

Sharma has reportedly been associated with the betting company through promotional or endorsement activities, which the agency is currently examining.

In an earlier action linked to the same case, the ED had provisionally attached properties worth ₹11.14 crore belonging to former cricketers Shikhar Dhawan and Suresh Raina after recording their statements as well.

1xBet, which is registered in Curacao, markets itself as a global betting operator with nearly two decades of experience. However, investigators said the platform functioned illegally in India by using surrogate branding and aggressive advertising on social media, digital platforms, and print media to reach Indian users.

According to the ED, payments made for celebrity endorsements were routed through multiple foreign intermediaries in an attempt to obscure the illegal origin of the funds.

The Centre recently introduced legislation aimed at banning real-money online gaming and betting activities in the country.

Besides Dhawan and Raina, the probe agency has also questioned several public figures in connection with the investigation, including cricketers Yuvraj Singh and Robin Uthappa, and actors Sonu Sood, Urvashi Rautela (who served as the India brand ambassador for 1xBet), Mimi Chakraborty, and Ankush Hazra.