1xBet

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1xBet
1xbetlogo.png
Type of site
Private
Available inRussia
Founded2007
Headquarters
Cyprus
Area served134 countries
OwnerSergey Karshkov, Roman Semiokhin, Dmitry Kazorin (alleged)
Key peopleEvgeniy Kiriushin, Alexandr Thikonov
IndustryOnline gambling
ServicesOnline betting & gaming
RevenueDecrease $2 billion (estimated)
Parent1X Corp N.V.
Subsidiaries1xBit, 1xStavka, BookmakerPu b, 22Bet, BetWinner, AsproBet, 1xbetaffiliates, partners1xbet, 1xbetcompani, 1xbetworld, bet1-x, 1xbn, 1xbet85
URL1xbet.com, 1xbet.mobi

1X Corp N.V. (also known as "1xBet") is an online gambling company licensed by the Curaçao eGaming License. It was founded in 2007 and registered in Cyprus. In 2019 they experienced considerable growth, briefly sponsoring Chelsea FC and Liverpool FC before being ousted for their involvement in illegal activities.

Initially a Russian Casino, it expanded its online presence in 2014 by partnering with 'BookmakerPub'. It maintains operations in Malta, Cyprus and Abuja (Nigeria). 1xBet's website is blocked in Russia, Ukraine and in other countries; the company is not authorized for gambling in Russia by the Russian Federal Tax Service, as with many other countries.[1]

Activities[]

In 2018, 1xBet entered into an agreement with the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF). As part of the deal 1xBet will acquire branding and advertisement rights at Nigerian national football team matches and other NFF events.[2] The deal also includes the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL).[3]

In 2018, 1xBet were announced as new International Presenting Partner of Italy’s Serie A.[4] The deal covers: Europe, Africa, the Middle East, and the Americas until 2021.[5] In March 2018, former Italian professional football player Andrea Pirlo was announced as a brand ambassador for 1xBet.[6]

in 2019, 1xBet were granted a five-year full National Licence to operate in Nigeria until 2024.[7] 1xBet are also an official sponsor of the Confédération Africaine de Football (CAF), the controlling body for African association football.[8]

In 2020, 1xBet signed a trademark license agreement with an international online gaming company TonyBet. As part of the deal, TonyBet acquired the 1xBet UK trademark. Following the sale of the UK trademark, 1xBet announced they will no longer be operating in the UK market.[9]

In 2020, 1xBet were issued a license to operate in Mexico by the General Directorate for Games and Lotteries and the Mexican Ministry of the Interior (SEGOB).[10]

In March 2021, 1xBet was confirmed by ESL Gaming as the official global betting partner for the ESL Pro Tour and ESL One Summer. The partnership is to run for the entirety of 2021 and up to IEM Katowice 2022.[11]

In May 2021, 1xBet announced a new top-level partnership with Davido, one of the most influential artists in Africa. The ambassadorial deal will see Davido's image appear on advertisements such as TV, billboards and transport.[12]

In July 2021, 1xBet signed a one-year ambassadorial deal with Nigerian comedian Mark Angel.[13]

Awards[]

In 2018, 1xBet was awarded the “Rising Star in Sports Betting Innovation” award at the SBC Awards 2018 in London. 1xBet was also nominated in five other categories: Rising Star in Sports Betting, Football Bookmaker of the Year, Esports Bookmaker of the Year, Best Affiliate Partner Scheme and White Label Supplier of the Year.[14]

1xBet was recognised with two nominations at the Global Gaming Awards 2021. The betting company was nominated as Online Sports Betting Operator of the Year, as well as being shortlisted for Affiliate Program of the Year.[15]

Controversies[]

Following an investigation by The Sunday Times in 2019, their license was promptly rescinded by the UK Gambling Commission (UKGC) after revelations of involvement promoting a “pornhub casino”, bets on children's sports and advertising on illegal websites.[16]

The company is prohibited from operating in the UK, however continue to sponsor FC Barcelona, Seria A, and the Confederation of African Football (CAF), among various other sports.[17]

As of May 2021, 1xBet has amassed over 1,290,0000 search results on Google for the term "1xBet Scam"; retaining its reputation as one of the world's most controversial betting firms and featuring on Russia's payment processor blacklist.[18] It provides an affiliate system to delegate its advertising onto unwitting clients.

Criminal Investigation[]

In early 2020, awareness was raised of an ongoing scam involving embezzlement and unlawful practice, highlighting attention through diplomatic channels.[19]

1xBet's headquarters and company roster remain largely unknown with a multitude of offshore companies, domain aliases and registrars intertwined to obfuscate operations.

1xbet domain alias listed on Google; one of thousands of gibberish "mirror" websites

In July 2020, the regional department of Bryansk revealed investigators had completed an investigation into a resident who was the cashier of an illegal online bookmaker.

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.'' [20]

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. [21]

The UK has put them on the international wanted list - all three have Cypriot citizenship.[22]

Weplay, a company that hosts esports, partnered up with 1xbet. When Netherrealm Studios (Mortal Kombat 11) and Bandai Namco (Tekken 7 and Soulcalibur VI) found this information out, they immediately pulled support from Weplay due to differences in vision. [23] [24] Weplay responded back, but have not heard back.[25]

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. [18]

The following countries restrict access to 1xbet:[citation needed]

Alleged Owners[]

Karshkov, an ex-police major and head of the "K" department of the Internal Affairs Directorate for the Bryansk region - was granted Cypriot citizenship in 2020 by obtaining a "Golden Passport" through substantial investments in the country.

Alongside Russian billionaire Semiokhin and Kazorin, all three have fled to Cyprus to avoid Russian prosecution.[26]

References[]

  1. ^ "What is the bookmaker 1XBet famous for? (rbc description)". www.rbc.ru. Retrieved 2 May 2021.
  2. ^ "1XBET links up with Nigerian Football Federation". iGaming Business. 24 May 2018. Retrieved 29 June 2021.
  3. ^ "Nigerian Football Federation signs up 1XBET". SportBusiness. 22 May 2018. Retrieved 29 June 2021.
  4. ^ "Lega Serie A - Sponsors and Partnerships". Lega Serie A. Retrieved 17 June 2021.
  5. ^ "1XBet signs as International Presenting Partner of Serie A". Sport Business. 13 November 2018. Retrieved 17 June 2021.
  6. ^ "Andrea Pirlo joins 1xBet as brand ambassador". SportsPro Media. 2 March 2018. Retrieved 13 August 2021.
  7. ^ "1xBet granted full national licence in Nigeria". iGaming Business. 2 January 2020. Retrieved 9 July 2021.
  8. ^ "1xBet acquires five-year national licence for Nigeria". SBC News. 3 January 2020. Retrieved 9 July 2021.
  9. ^ "1xBet's UK trademark acquired by TonyBet". iGaming Business. 2 July 2020. Retrieved 20 August 2021.
  10. ^ "1xBet Received the License to Operate in Mexico". Gambling Insider. 30 March 2021. Retrieved 13 August 2021.
  11. ^ "1xBet becomes Official Global Betting Partner for ESL Pro Tour". ESL. 9 March 2021. Retrieved 16 July 2021.
  12. ^ "1xBet announcs Davido as the newest brand ambassador in Africa". The Guardian NG. 18 May 2021. Retrieved 9 June 2021.
  13. ^ "Mark Angel is the newest 1xBet ambassador in Nigeria". The Guardian NG. 5 August 2021. Retrieved 10 September 2021.
  14. ^ "1xBet win Rising Star SBC Award". iGaming Business. 5 December 2018. Retrieved 3 September 2021.
  15. ^ "1xBet scores two Global Gaming Awards nominations". Retrieved 3 June 2021.
  16. ^ Times, Jon Ungoed-Thomas, Lucy Bacon | The Sunday. "Premier League clubs accused over links with betting firm". The Times. ISSN 0140-0460. Retrieved 27 December 2020.
  17. ^ Gallagher, Erin-Marie (11 February 2019). "1xBet grows portfolio with Confédération Africaine de Football sponsorship". Insider Sport. Retrieved 27 December 2020.
  18. ^ "UKGC Opens Probe into 1xBet UK Brand on Reported Regulatory Breaches". GamblingNews. 13 August 2019. Retrieved 27 December 2020.
  19. ^ Gm, Ebene Magazine- (10 December 2020). ". 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". EBENE MAGAZINE (in French). Retrieved 13 January 2021.
  20. ^ "СК назвал подозреваемых в создании запрещенного букмекера 1XBet". РБК (in Russian). Retrieved 23 July 2021.
  21. ^ "СК назвал подозреваемых в создании запрещенного букмекера 1XBet". РБК (in Russian). Retrieved 23 July 2021.
  22. ^ Gm, Ebene Magazine- (10 December 2020). ". 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". EBENE MAGAZINE (in French). Retrieved 27 December 2020.
  23. ^ Netherrealm Studio's Statement on Twitter., 30 April 2021
  24. ^ Bandai Namco eSports' Statement on Twitter., 30 April 2021
  25. ^ Weplay's response on Twitter., 30 April 2021
  26. ^ Ирина. "СКР: один из подозреваемых в создании запрещенного букмекера 1XBet работал в главке МВД - TOPNews.RU". www.topnews.ru/ (in Russian). Retrieved 22 March 2021.
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