1xBet
1X Corp N.V. (also known as "1xBet") is an online gambling company licensed by 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.
Type of site | Private |
|---|---|
| Available in | English Russian |
| Founded | 2007 |
| Headquarters | |
| Area served | 134 countries |
| Owner | Sergey Karshkov Roman Semiokhin Dmitry Kazorin (alleged) |
| Key people | Evgeniy Kiriushin Alexandr Thikonov |
| Industry | Online gambling |
| Services | Online betting & gaming |
| Revenue | $2 billion (estimated)[by whom?] |
| Parent | 1X Corp N.V. |
| Subsidiaries | 1xStavka, BookmakerPub, 22Bet, BetWinner, AsproBet, 1xbetaffiliates, partners1xbet, 1xbetcompani, 1xbetworld, bet1-x, 1xbn, 1xbet85, 1xbit, 1xslots |
| URL | 1XBET.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).
As of January 2022, 1xBet no longer appears to be located in Curaçao[citation needed] after being declared bankrupt. A lawsuit[which?] against the company and its licensor remain open. The website continues to operate online.
Controversies
Following an investigation by The Sunday Times in 2019, 1xBet's license was rescinded by the UK Gambling Commission (UKGC) after revelations of involvement "promoting a "pornhub casino", bets on children's sports and advertising on illegal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."[1]
Despite legal issues in the United Kingdom, as of 2020, 1xBet continued to sponsor FC Barcelona, Seria A, and the Confederation of African Football (CAF), among various other sports.[2]
1xBet retains its reputation as one of the world's most controversial betting firms,[citation needed] featuring on Russia's payment processor and Federal Tax Service blacklist.[3][4]
Criminal investigation
In early 2020, awareness was raised of an ongoing scam involving embezzlement[citation needed] and unlawful practice,[5] highlighting attention through diplomatic channels.[citation needed]
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".[6]
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.[6] The Investigative Committee of Russia has put them on the international wanted list. All three have Cypriot citizenship.[5]
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.[7]
Bankruptcy
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.[8]
The individuals state that 1xBet structurally deniеs the legitimate wins of players with millions of euros in unpaid winnings.[9]
Sponsors
In May 2022, 1xBet signed an agreement to become the title partner of esports organisation Team Spirit.[10]
On 1 August 2022, Paris Saint-Germain announced 1xBet as their new regional partner in Africa and Asia.[11]
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.[12]
References
- ^ 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.
- ^ Gallagher, Erin-Marie (11 February 2019). "1xBet grows portfolio with Confédération Africaine de Football sponsorship". Insider Sport. Retrieved 27 December 2020.
- ^ "UKGC Opens Probe into 1xBet UK Brand on Reported Regulatory Breaches". GamblingNews. 13 August 2019. Retrieved 27 December 2020.
- ^ "What is the bookmaker 1XBet famous for? (rbc description)". www.rbc.ru. Retrieved 2 May 2021.
- ^ a b Gm, Ebene Magazine- (10 December 2020). . EBENE MAGAZINE (in French). Archived from the original on 2 May 2021. Retrieved 13 January 2021.
- ^ a b "СК назвал подозреваемых в создании запрещенного букмекера 1XBet". РБК (in Russian). Retrieved 23 July 2021.
- ^ "Клиент 1XBet подал в суд на букмекера и платежные системы Подробнее на РБК". rbc.ru. 22 June 2021. Retrieved 3 October 2022.
- ^ "Russian gambling company bankrupt but still in business in Curaçao". www.curacaochronicle.com. 30 June 2022. Retrieved 19 October 2022.
- ^ Woerd, Frank Op de (18 August 2021). "Belangenbehartiger doet aangifte tegen Curaçaose licentieverstrekker Cyberluck om fraude 1xBet". CasinoNieuws.nl (in Dutch). Retrieved 27 November 2021.
- ^ "Team Spirit and 1xBet announce partnership". teamspirit.gg (in Russian). 9 May 2022. Retrieved 11 May 2022.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ^ "Paris Saint-Germain welcomes 1XBET as new regional partner". psg.fr. Paris Saint-Germain F.C. 1 August 2022. Retrieved 3 August 2022.
- ^ 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.
External links
- Official website