The complaint was lodged by Star India, the official broadcaster of the tournament, which accused 1xBet of violating copyright laws by broadcasting matches without obtaining a licence or an official agreement.

Star India has formally filed a First Information Report (FIR), demanding legal action against individuals involved in 1xBet’s operations within the country.

The broadcaster has urged authorities to arrest those responsible for facilitating the illegal live-streaming of cricket matches. The allegations primarily focus on digital piracy and the unauthorised use of copyrighted material.

Despite multiple attempts by Indian authorities to block 1xBet’s operations, the platform continues to function, reportedly leveraging alternative domains and technical workarounds to evade enforcement.

The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (MIB) has repeatedly issued warnings against advertisements and promotions for offshore gambling sites.

However 1xBet, a Cyprus-based betting company that operates under a Curaçao license, remains active in India, raising concerns over the effectiveness of enforcement mechanisms.

The platform has been banned in several countries, including the US, UK, France, and Spain, due to its alleged links to money laundering and illegal gambling activities.

Regulatory authorities worldwide have taken action against the company, with some jurisdictions imposing strict penalties on those associated with its promotion and operation.

India takes legal action against celebrity endorsements

The police investigation also targets individuals associated with 1xBet, and reports suggest that celebrities who have endorsed the platform may come under scrutiny.

Bollywood actress Urvashi Rautela is reportedly facing an investigation for her involvement in promoting illegal gambling platforms.

Rautela has been at the centre of multiple controversies related to online betting promotions. Apart from 1xBet, she has previously faced backlash for endorsing another illegal betting platform, Lotus365.

Additionally, she was among the celebrities investigated for promoting Mahadev Online Book, another betting website that was shut down following government intervention.

The ongoing legal action against 1xBet is expected to extend to other celebrities who have endorsed the platform, given the significant role influencers and actors play in marketing illegal gambling services.

The MIB advisory issued to celebrities and social media influencers states that failing to comply with legal regulations could result in legal proceedings under the Consumer Protection Act, 2019.

It also warns of social media content removal or account suspension for those found promoting illegal betting platforms.

This aligns with the government’s broader efforts to curb misleading advertisements and deceptive endorsements that lure users into illegal gambling.

The Kerala Police have launched a crackdown on social media influencers who have been promoting betting and gaming applications, resulting in the removal of several Instagram accounts.

Meta recently disabled the accounts of well-known Malayali vloggers, including Mallu Family Sujin, Wayanadan Vlogger, and Fazmina Zakiir. This action is part of the government’s broader effort to curb the endorsement of gambling apps.

Authorities found that these influencers had been actively promoting such applications, often sharing videos showcasing their alleged earnings from online betting.

The police intervention underscores the growing efforts to regulate digital endorsements of gambling-related services and protect users from potentially deceptive marketing practices.

The growing crackdown on online gambling in India

The crackdown on 1xBet reflects India’s broader attempt to regulate online gambling and betting platforms, particularly those operating offshore.

The government has implemented a series of legal measures aimed at curbing the influence of illegal betting companies, which have been known to operate outside the scope of Indian regulatory frameworks.

However, the persistence of such platforms, despite multiple enforcement actions, suggests a significant challenge in effectively regulating online gambling.

The Real Money Gaming (RMG) industry in India has also raised concerns over offshore betting sites siphoning money out of the country without paying taxes or adhering to Indian laws.

Industry stakeholders argue that while legal online gaming companies follow taxation and regulatory norms, offshore platforms like 1xBet bypass these requirements, creating an uneven playing field.