Celebrity Scrutiny: Urvashi Rautela and Mimi Chakraborty in 1xBet Probe
Bollywood actress Urvashi Rautela and former TMC MP, Mimi Chakraborty, face ED's scrutiny in the high-profile 1xBet money laundering investigation.
In a dramatic twist to the ongoing crackdown on illegal online betting in India, Bollywood star Urvashi Rautela and former TMC MP Mimi Chakraborty have been called to the capital for a high-stakes questioning session with the Enforcement Directorate (ED). Both figures are now under intense scrutiny for their alleged roles as promoters of the controversial online betting platform, 1xBet.
A Web of Deceit: The Celebrity Connection
The Enforcement Directorate’s investigation into 1xBet has put familiar faces of the entertainment world under the spotlight. With Urvashi set to appear on September 16 and Mimi a day earlier on September 15, this probe raises pertinent questions about celebrity endorsements and ethical responsibilities.
A Growing Epidemic: The Stats You Need to Know
The Indian online betting industry is booming, with approximately 22 crore users, half of which are regular participants. A market worth over $100 billion and growing at 30% annually, this digital betting arena is both lucrative and legally precarious.
Legal Manoeuvres: Government Takes Action
According to official records, the Union government has taken decisive action by issuing over 1,500 orders from 2022 till June 2025 to block access to platforms promoting online betting and gambling. This comes in alignment with recent legislation effectively banning real-money online games.
High-Profile Names Continue to Surface
Urvashi and Mimi are not the first celebrities entangled in this investigation. Former cricket stars Shikhar Dhawan and Suresh Raina have already faced the ED, highlighting the extent and reach of this probe as it unfolds.
What Lies Ahead?
As the investigation heats up, the involvement of celebrities with such platforms calls for a reevaluation of endorsement ethics and legal ramifications. Their positions in the public eye bring additional attention to the regulatory steps being taken to curb this growing problem.
According to The Economic Times, these significant developments in India’s digital betting landscape reveal a larger issue that demands both societal and legal interventions. The coming days will likely see more revelations as the investigation proceeds.
