Suresh Raina to Testify in 1xBet Investigation Amid Celebrity Betting Crackdown
Suresh Raina's Upcoming Statement to the ED
Former Indian cricket star Suresh Raina is expected to provide a statement on Wednesday at the Enforcement Directorate (ED) office in New Delhi, following a summons from the agency regarding the 1xBet case.
Raina, renowned as one of India's finest middle-order batsmen, made history as the first Indian to score a century in all formats of cricket.
Throughout his international career, Raina participated in 322 matches, amassing 7,988 runs with an average of 32.87 and a strike rate exceeding 92. His impressive record includes seven centuries and 48 half-centuries, with a personal best of 120 runs. He was part of the victorious Indian team in the ICC Cricket World Cup 2011 and the ICC Champions Trophy 2013.
Notable performances include his innings of 34* against Australia in the 2011 World Cup quarterfinals and 36* against Pakistan in the semifinals, both of which are etched in the memories of cricket fans.
In the Indian Premier League (IPL), Raina played for CSK and the Gujarat Lions from 2016 to 2017. He ranks as the fifth-highest run-scorer in IPL history, with 5,528 runs in 205 matches, averaging 32.51 and boasting a strike rate of over 136.73.
His IPL career features a century and 39 fifties, with a top score of 100*. Due to his remarkable consistency, he is affectionately dubbed 'Mr. IPL' and has celebrated four IPL championships with the Chennai Super Kings.
This summons is part of a larger initiative targeting illegal betting applications and platforms, many of which have been endorsed by celebrities.
Recently, actor Rana Daggubati also appeared before the ED following a summons related to the promotion of online betting games. Daggubati had previously requested a delay in his appearance due to prior commitments.
Earlier this year, the Telangana police initiated a First Information Report (FIR) against 25 celebrities and influencers, including notable names like Rana Daggubati, Prakash Raj, Vijay Deverakonda, and Manchu Lakshmi, for allegedly endorsing illegal betting and gambling applications on their social media accounts.
The FIR was lodged at the Miyapur Police Station in Hyderabad after a complaint from businessman PM Phanindra Sarma on March 19, highlighting a concerning trend of celebrities promoting illegal gambling apps that breach the Public Gambling Act of 1867.
Sarma reported that discussions with local youth revealed many had been persuaded to invest in these gambling applications, heavily marketed by social media figures.
The complaint alleges that these celebrities are receiving substantial payments to promote various betting platforms, which entice users to gamble their hard-earned money. Sarma himself nearly invested in one of these platforms but was dissuaded by family warnings about potential financial risks.
The petition stresses that these applications are inflicting significant financial damage, particularly on lower and middle-class families drawn in by the allure of easy money. The reliance on celebrity endorsements often leads vulnerable individuals to invest large sums, resulting in financial distress.
The Telangana police have charged the accused under several sections of the TS Gaming Act and the IT Act, including Section 66(D) of the Information Technology Act, which pertains to cheating and identity theft. The investigation is currently overseen by Officer G Ramesh Naidu.
“This investigation highlights our dedication to safeguarding the public from harmful gambling and betting platforms that exploit individuals for financial gain,” stated K Kranthi Kumar, Inspector of Police at Miyapur Police Station.