1xBet
{{Short description|Cyprus-based online gambling company}}
{{EngvarB|date = December 2020}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=October 2024}}{{Infobox dot-com company
| name = 1xBet
| logo = 1xbetlogo.png
| logo_size = 270px
| caption =
| company_type =
| type = Private
| language = English
Russian
| foundation = 2007
| predecessor =
| successor =
| locations =
| area_served = International
| founder =
| key_people = Mark Wilson (representative){{cite press release|publisher=Billie Jean King Cup|title=Billie Jean King Cup and 1xBet announce global partnership|date=April 2025|url=https://www.billiejeankingcup.com/en/news/billie-jean-king-cup-and-1xbet-announce-global-partnership}}
| industry = Online gambling
| products =
| services = Online betting & gaming
| assets =
| equity =
| subsid = 1xbetaffiliates, partners1xbet
| url = [https://1xbet.com/en 1xbet.com]
| footnotes =
| intl =
| location_city = Limassol
| aum =
| location_country = Cyprus
| genre =
| fate =
| defunct =
| location =
| alexa =
}}
1xBet is an online gambling company licensed by Curaçao eGaming License. It was founded in 2007, is based in Cyprus, and licensed in Curacao.
The organisation operates a franchise business model.{{Cite web |title=Start a Betting Business With 1xBet Franchise {{!}} Bett-market |url=https://bett-market.com/en/1xbet-bookmaker-franchise-how-to-open-a-betting-shop |access-date=2023-04-06 |website=bett-market.com |language=en-US |archive-date=8 April 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230408075926/https://bett-market.com/en/1xbet-bookmaker-franchise-how-to-open-a-betting-shop |url-status=live }} Following revelations into the company's finances, it is not allowed to operate in a variety of countries{{cite web |last=Belot |first=Henry |title=Cricket Australia paid to promote affiliate of controversial gambling company during Boxing Day Test |website=the Guardian |date=1 March 2024 |url=https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2024/mar/02/cricket-australia-paid-promotion-1x-bet-1xbat |access-date=12 August 2024}} including the US, UK, Russia, France and Spain. International arrest warrants have been issued for the company's three founders, one of whom reportedly died in Switzerland in 2023. Amid these controversies, the company changed its focus to Africa, South America, South East Asia and India.{{cite magazine |last=Williams |first=Sean |title=The Wild Quest to Create a Fake Indian Cricket League ... That Was Just the Beginning |magazine=Sports Illustrated |date=15 September 2023 |url=https://www.si.com/betting/2023/09/15/fake-indian-cricket-league-daily-cover |access-date=12 August 2024 |archive-date=3 August 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240803035859/https://www.si.com/betting/2023/09/15/fake-indian-cricket-league-daily-cover |url-status=live }}
1xBet is one of the world's largest online casinos, accepting bets on amateur sporting events, including children's sports, broadcast live on its website. The company has also accepted betting on cockfighting. The company is the sponsor of FC Barcelona until 2029 and Paris Saint-Germain until 2025.
History
The company was founded in Russia by Roman Semiokhin, Dmitry Kazorin, and a former Russian intelligence agent named Sergey Karshkov (d. June 2023). By 2021, their company had made more than US$655 mln in illegal gambling.
In March 2020, 1xBet confirmed the company's expansion into the Mexican market following its approval for an operational licence. The company also announced its plan to focus on the esports betting market within the Latin American country.{{Cite web |date=30 March 2020 |title=1xBet confirms Mexican expansion following license approval |url=https://sbcamericas.com/2020/03/30/1xbet-confirms-mexican-expansion-following-license-approval/ |access-date=2023-05-24 |archive-date=4 February 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230204131815/https://sbcamericas.com/2020/03/30/1xbet-confirms-mexican-expansion-following-license-approval/ |url-status=live }}
In March 2022, 1xBet expanded into the Chilean market by signing a partnership agreement with the Chilean football championship, with the company becoming part of the 138 matches of the 2022 season.{{Cite web |date=22 March 2022 |title=1xBet expands in Chile with football deal |url=https://agbrief.com/news/elsewhere/22/03/2022/1xbet-expands-in-chile-with-football-deal/ |access-date=2023-05-30 |website=agbrief.com |archive-date=30 May 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230530130708/https://agbrief.com/news/elsewhere/22/03/2022/1xbet-expands-in-chile-with-football-deal/ |url-status=live }}
In October 2023, Congolese musician Maître Gims became an ambassador for 1xBet.{{cite web |title=Maître Gims devient nouvel ambassadeur de 1xBet |website=ouragan.cd |date=19 September 2024 |url=https://ouragan.cd/2022/11/maitre-gims-devient-nouvel-ambassadeur-de-1xbet |access-date=2024-09-20 |archive-date=21 June 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240621102122/https://ouragan.cd/2022/11/maitre-gims-devient-nouvel-ambassadeur-de-1xbet |url-status=live }}
Despite criminal prosecution in several countries, 1xBet secured major sponsorship contracts, for example, it remains the sponsor of FC Barcelona until 2029 and sponsors Paris Saint-Germain FC from 2022 to 2025. As of 2024, the monthly average number of visitors to its platform exceeded 5 million, and the company passed the first round of licenscing applications to legally operate in Brazil.
In February 2025, it became the title sponsor of the Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League in the Philippines under a contract planned to last through 2026.{{Cite web |date=2025-02-27 |title=MPBL partners with sports betting firm |url=https://www.philstar.com/sports/2025/02/27/2424637/mpbl-partners-sports-betting-firm/ |access-date=2025-03-01 |website=www.philstar.com |language=en-US}}
Controversy
Following an investigation by The Sunday Times in 2019, 1xBet's licence was rescinded by the UK Gambling Commission (UKGC) after revelations of involvement ‘promoting a "pornhub casino’, bets on children's sports and cockfighting, and advertising on illegal websites."{{Cite news|last1=Ungoed-Thomas|first1=Jon|last2=Bacon|first2=Lucy|title=Premier League clubs accused over links with betting firm|newspaper=The Times|language=en|url=https://www.thetimes.com/sport/football/article/premier-league-clubs-accused-over-links-with-betting-firm-sdvw0nwfp|access-date=2020-12-27|issn=0140-0460|archive-date=2022-07-07|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220707022501/https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/premier-league-clubs-accused-over-links-with-betting-firm-sdvw0nwfp|url-status=live}}{{cite web |url=https://www.egr.global/intel/news/fsb-suspends-1xbet-white-label-following-sunday-times-investigation/ |title=FSB suspends 1xBet white label following Sunday Times investigation – EGR Intel |date=12 August 2019 |access-date=7 August 2024 |archive-date=1 May 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240501075350/https://www.egr.global/intel/news/fsb-suspends-1xbet-white-label-following-sunday-times-investigation/ |url-status=live }}
1xBet features on Russia's payment processor and Federal Tax Service blacklist.{{Cite web|date=13 August 2019|title=UKGC Opens Probe into 1xBet UK Brand on Reported Regulatory Breaches|url=https://www.gamblingnews.com/news/ukgc-opens-probe-into-1xbet-uk-brand-on-reported-regulatory-breaches/|access-date=2020-12-27|website=GamblingNews|language=en|archive-date=6 July 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220706060255/https://www.gamblingnews.com/news/ukgc-opens-probe-into-1xbet-uk-brand-on-reported-regulatory-breaches/|url-status=live}}{{cite web|title=What is the bookmaker 1XBet famous for? (rbc description)|url=https://www.rbc.ru/technology_and_media/11/08/2020/5f3277fc9a794734c48b2fb6|access-date=2 May 2021|website=www.rbc.ru|date=11 August 2020 |archive-date=29 September 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220929013758/https://www.rbc.ru/technology_and_media/11/08/2020/5f3277fc9a794734c48b2fb6|url-status=live}}
In 2024, Bellingcat and the platform Josimar reported that 1xBet allegedly organized thousands of live-streamed amateur games involving fake teams and children as young as 14 years old.{{Cite web |title=Stream Teams: Battery Farming Sport For Bets |url=https://www.bellingcat.com/news/2024/10/21/1xbet-hosts-thousands-of-amateur-sports-streams-on-its-website/ |date=21 October 2024 |access-date=2024-10-21 |website=Bellingcat |archive-date=23 October 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241023220450/https://www.bellingcat.com/news/2024/10/21/1xbet-hosts-thousands-of-amateur-sports-streams-on-its-website/ |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |title=Child’s play |url=https://josimarfootball.com/2024/10/21/childs-play/ |last=Auclair |first=Philippe |date=21 October 2024 |access-date=2024-10-21 |website=Josimar |last2=Brown |first2=Andy |last3=Kerr |first3=Jack |last4=Kunti |first4=Sam |last5=Menary |first5=Steve}}
Criminal investigation
In early 2020, awareness was raised of an unlawful practice,{{Cite web|last=Gm|first=Ebene Magazine-|date=10 December 2020|title=. EbeneMagazine – RU – "The stars wear their symbols, but no one knows the owners": the main thing from the Forbes text about the founders of the bookmaker 1xBet.. ru|url=https://news.ebene-magazine.com/ebenemagazine-ru-the-stars-wear-their-symbols-but-no-one-knows-the-owners-the-main-thing-from-the-forbes-text-about-the-founders-of-the-bookmaker-1xbet-ru/|access-date=2021-01-13|website=EBENE MAGAZINE|language=fr-FR|archive-date=2 May 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210502091616/https://news.ebene-magazine.com/ebenemagazine-ru-the-stars-wear-their-symbols-but-no-one-knows-the-owners-the-main-thing-from-the-forbes-text-about-the-founders-of-the-bookmaker-1xbet-ru/|url-status=dead}} an international arrest warrant was issued by Russian authorities.{{cite web| url =https://www.bellingcat.com/news/2024/10/21/1xbet-hosts-thousands-of-amateur-sports-streams-on-its-website/| title =Stream Teams: Battery Farming Sport For Bets| last =| first =| date =21 October 2024| publisher =Bellingcat| access-date =2024-10-22| archive-date =23 October 2024| archive-url =https://web.archive.org/web/20241023220450/https://www.bellingcat.com/news/2024/10/21/1xbet-hosts-thousands-of-amateur-sports-streams-on-its-website/| url-status =live}} Later, in August 2020, the Directorate of the Investigative Committee for the Russian Bryansk Region released the names of the supposed creators of 1xBet. These are "Sergey Karshkov", "Roman Semiokhin" and "Dmitry Kazorin".{{Cite web|title=СК назвал подозреваемых в создании запрещенного букмекера 1XBet|url=https://www.rbc.ru/technology_and_media/11/08/2020/5f3277fc9a794734c48b2fb6|access-date=2021-07-23|website=РБК|date=11 August 2020 |language=ru|archive-date=29 September 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220929013758/https://www.rbc.ru/technology_and_media/11/08/2020/5f3277fc9a794734c48b2fb6|url-status=live}} All three have Cypriot citizenship. The trio are suspected of organizing the online bookmaker 1xBet, and are defendants in a criminal case, with penalty of imprisonment. A number of estates in Russia with a total value of 1.5 billion rubles were seized.
In 2021, Parlan Law Firm announced a search for victims of 1xBet in Russia. The company has organized a service for filing applications to the investigative committee. They filed a lawsuit against the owner of the Russian version of 1xBet – bookmaker 1xStavka.{{cite news |title=Клиент 1XBet подал в суд на букмекера и платежные системы Подробнее на РБК |url=https://www.rbc.ru/technology_and_media/22/06/2021/60d0af5b9a794772f446d367 |access-date=3 October 2022 |publisher=rbc.ru |date=22 June 2021 |archive-date=6 October 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221006062519/https://www.rbc.ru/technology_and_media/22/06/2021/60d0af5b9a794772f446d367 |url-status=live }}
In 2023, Morocco's National Judicial Police Brigade (BNPJ) opened a mass investigation into 1xBet among other gambling websites on charges of operating an illegal gambling enterprise following a complaint by MDJS.{{Cite web |last=El Hourri |first=Abdelali |date=14 November 2023 |title=Plainte de la MDJS contre 1xBet : la BNPJ entre en scene |url=https://medias24.com/2023/11/14/plainte-de-la-mdjs-contre-1xbet-la-bnpj-entre-en-scene/ |website=Medias24}}
In November 2021 1xBet's subsidiary company, 1хCorр MV, filed for bankruptcy in a Curaçao court after it refused to refund a group of gamblers represented by the foundation for Curaçao gaming victims. The company was declared bankrupt in June 2022 but continued to operate.{{cite news |title=Russian gambling company bankrupt but still in business in Curaçao |url=https://www.curacaochronicle.com/post/main/russian-gambling-company-bankrupt-but-still-in-business-in-curacao/ |access-date=19 October 2022 |work=www.curacaochronicle.com |date=30 June 2022}} The individuals state that 1xBet structurally deniеs the legitimate wins of players with millions of euros in unpaid winnings.{{Cite web|last=Woerd|first=Frank Op de|date=18 August 2021|title=Belangenbehartiger doet aangifte tegen Curaçaose licentieverstrekker Cyberluck om fraude 1xBet|url=https://www.casinonieuws.nl/online/curacaose-licentieverstrekker-cyberluck-aangeklaagd-om-fraude-1xbet/|access-date=2021-11-27|website=CasinoNieuws.nl|language=nl|archive-date=26 January 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220126044843/https://www.casinonieuws.nl/online/curacaose-licentieverstrekker-cyberluck-aangeklaagd-om-fraude-1xbet/|url-status=live}} In January 2023, 1xCorp MV was declared bankrupt by the Dutch Supreme Court in the Netherlands.{{Cite web |last=Lars |date=20 January 2023 |title=Bankrupt and expanding |url=https://josimarfootball.com/bankrupt-and-expanding/ |access-date=2023-01-20 |website=Josimarfootball.com |language=en-US |archive-date=20 January 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230120205827/https://josimarfootball.com/bankrupt-and-expanding/ |url-status=live }}{{cite web |last1=Davidson |first1=David |last2=Smits |first2=Henk Willem |last3=Koens |first3=Remy |title=Crypto billions and illegal gambling sites: 'Russian' 1xBet conquers the world from Curaçao |website=Follow the Money – Platform for investigative journalism |date=20 June 2023 |url=https://www.ftm.eu/articles/1xbet-background |access-date=12 August 2024 |archive-date=12 August 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240812124421/https://www.ftm.eu/articles/1xbet-background |url-status=live }}
References
{{reflist|2}}
External links
- {{official|https://1xbet.com/en}}