1xBet

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.

1xBet
Type of site
Private
Available inEnglish
Russian
Founded2007
Headquarters
Limassol, Cyprus
Area served134 countries
OwnerSergey Karshkov
Roman Semiokhin
Dmitry Kazorin (alleged)
Key peopleEvgeniy Kiriushin
Alexandr Thikonov
IndustryOnline gambling
ServicesOnline betting & gaming
Revenue $2 billion (estimated)
Parent1X Corp N.V.
Subsidiaries1xStavka, BookmakerPub, 22Bet, BetWinner, AsproBet, 1xbetaffiliates, partners1xbet, 1xbetcompani, 1xbetworld, bet1-x, 1xbn, 1xbet85
URL1XBET.com

Initially a Russian Casino, it expanded its online presence in 2014 by partnering with 'BookmakerPub'. It maintains operations in Malta, Cyprus and Abuja (Nigeria).[1]

As of January 2022, 1xBet no longer appears to be located in Curaçao after filing for bankruptcy. A lawsuit against the company and its licensor remain open. The website continues to operate online.

Operations

In March 2022, 1xBet announced two deals made for the Chilean market, the deals saw the company become apart of 138 matches of the Chilean football championship for 2022.[2]

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Following an investigation by The Sunday Times in 2019, their license was promptly rescinded by the UK Gambling Commission (UKGC) after revelations of involvement "promoting a "pornhub casino", bets on children's sports and advertising on illegal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."[3]

The company is prohibited from operating in the UK, however as of 2020 continue to sponsor FC Barcelona, Seria A, and the Confederation of African Football (CAF), among various other sports.[4]

As of May 2021, 1xBet had amassed over 1,290,0000 search results on Google for the term "1xBet Scam"; it provides an affiliate system to delegate its advertising onto unwitting clients and retains its reputation as one of the world's most controversial betting firms, featuring on Russia's payment processor and Federal Tax Service blacklist.[5][6]

The website has had its access restricted in numerous countries, including: Russia, UK, USA, Spain, France, Italy, Switzerland, Portugal, Burkina Faso, Israel, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Poland, Netherlands, Belgium.[7]

Criminal investigation

In early 2020, awareness was raised of an ongoing scam involving embezzlement and unlawful practice, highlighting attention through diplomatic channels.[8]

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.'' [9]

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.[9]

The UK has put them on the international wanted list - all three have Cypriot citizenship.[10]

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]

Bankruptcy

In November 2021 1xBet's subsidiary company, 1хCorр MV, filed for bankruptcy [11] in a Curaçao court after it refused to refund a group of gamblers represented by the foundation for curaçao gaming victims, SBGOK.

The individuals state that 1xBet structurally deniеs the legitimate wins of players with millions of euros in unpaid winnings.[12]

On December 10, 2021, the SBGOK foundation appealed this decision and subsequently filed a complaint against Cyberluck, its licensor, which operates under the name 'Curaçao e-Gaming (CEG)', as well as the Gaming Control Board in Curaçao.

"According to SBGOK, the company is not only partly responsible for the frаud by 1xBet. The foundation claims that Cyberluck also actively cooperates in flouting the rules against money laundering by 1xBet".[12]

The Curaçao court has yet to decide on the appeal, although the issue reached Parliamentary questions in Netherlands.[13]

Sponsors

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.[14] The deal also includes the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL).[15]

The company were also announced as new International Presenting Partner of Italy's Serie A.[16] The deal covers: Europe, Africa, the Middle East, and the Americas until 2021.[17] In March 2018, former Italian professional football player Andrea Pirlo was revealed as a brand ambassador for 1xBet.[18] They were named Global Betting Partner of Cardiff City FC for the 2018–19 and 2019–20 seasons,[19] and granted a five-year full National Licence to operate in Nigeria until 2024.[20] 1xBet are also an official sponsor of the Confédération Africaine de Football (CAF), the controlling body for African association football.[21]

In 2020, 1xBet signed a one-year agreement to become the title partner of esports organisation Natus Vincere (NAVI).[22] It also 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.[23] 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).[24]

In March 2021, 1xBet signed a deal with WePlay Esports that saw the company support all tournaments throughout 2021.[25]

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.[26]

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.[27] It later also signed a one-year ambassadorial deal with Nigerian comedian Mark Angel.[28]

The end of 2021 marked the announcement of official betting partner of French Ligue 1 side Olympique Lyonnais for the 2021–22 season. As part of the deal 1xBet become Lyon's exclusive betting partner in Africa.[29] 1xBet announced Trinidadian cricketer Dwayne Bravo as its first ambassador in India.[30]

In January 2022, 1xBet was announced as the official betting partner for thirteen national and regional Brazilian football tournaments for the duration of the 2022 season.[31] As part of the agreement, 1xBet will sponsor major national competitions such as Brasileiro Série C and Brasileiro Série D with naming rights.[32] 1xBet will also sponsor additional regional competitions such as the 2022 Campeonato Paulista.[33]

In January 2022, 1xBet announced a three-year global partnership agreement with Brazilian esports team MIBR (Made in Brazil).[34]

1xBet sponsored the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON). The tournament was initially scheduled for June-July 2021, but was postponed until January-February 2022.[35] As part of the agreement, 1xBet’s advertisements featured in tournament stadiums and on television.[36]

On February 18th, 2022, 1xBet announced a one-year partnership with Indian actress and model Neha Sharma.[37]

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.[38] In 2020, 1xBet was recognised at the 2020 SBC Awards as Esports Operator of the Year.[39]

In 2020, 1xBet won the “Sports Betting Platform of the Year” award at the 2020 International Gaming Awards. 1xBet was also nominated for five other awards: eSports Betting Software of the Year, In-Play Sports Betting Company, Mobile Operator of the Year, Online Gaming Operator of the Year and Sports Betting Operator of the Year.[40]

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.[41]

In 2021, 1xBet was nominated in five categories at the 2021 EGR Operator Awards: Mobile Operator; eSports Operator; Football Betting Operator; In-Play Sports Operator; Mobile Sports Product.[42] It was also nominated in multiple categories at the 2021 International Gaming Awards: Best Customer Service Company of the Year, Innovator of the Year, Live Casino of the Year, Mobile Operator of the Year, Mobile Sports Product, Online Casino Operator of the Year, Unique Gaming Company of the Year and Sports Betting Operator of the Year.[43]

1xBet was nominated in five categories at the EGR Nordics Awards 2022: Affiliate Programme, Casino Operator, Customer Services Operator, Mobile Operator, Sports Betting Operator.[44]

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.[45]

References
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  3. 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.
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