Published on: October 22, 2024, 10:41h.
Last updated on: October 22, 2024, 10:55h.
In a dull gymnasium, an amateur three-a-side game of futsal is taking place on a small playing surface. The unexciting event is labeled as “Arsenal versus Real Madrid.” There are no referees or spectators. The players appear uninterested. One team scores, but no one celebrates.
Meanwhile, a cricket match is happening with two teams of two players competing in a room adorned with murals of cheering fans.
What ties these scenes together? They are examples of the live-streamed gambling entertainment offered by the controversial Russian sportsbook and casino, 1XBet.
1XBet allows in-play bets on numerous amateur tournaments that run continuously throughout the year. These events serve to attract bettors who are then targeted for cross-selling to the casino. Who wouldn’t want to watch a free live stream of Arsenal versus Real Madrid?
Banned in Russia, Ukraine
Recently, investigative site Bellingcat analyzed hours of 1XBet’s unusual amateur tournaments. Using methods like reverse imaging, the site identified their locations in sports venues across Russia, Ukraine, and Belarus.
This is significant because 1XBet is prohibited in both Russia and Ukraine.
In 2020, Russian prosecutors issued an international arrest warrant for 1XBet’s three founders, Dmitry Kazorin, Roman Semiokhin, and Sergey Karshkov (deceased), for providing illegal gambling services. The indictment described 1XBet as one of the world’s largest sportsbooks with revenues of US$2 billion.
In September 2022, the Ukrainian gambling regulator revoked 1XBet’s license due to its connections to Russia.
During its investigation, Bellingcat discovered that players who appeared in one match representing “Liverpool,” for example, would reappear in subsequent matches playing for a different team like “Barcelona.” They also found minors as young as 14 participating in the games.
Match-Fixing Suspicions
Josimar Football, which aided Bellingcat in the inquiry, located one player from the fake games. The player disclosed that while they were instructed not to fix the outcome, they were told not to score more than five goals in each game, which still constitutes match-fixing.
Despite using the names of major soccer teams, 1XBet maintains partnerships with Barcelona and Paris St Germain.
English Premier League teams Tottenham, Liverpool, and Chelsea ended similar deals with 1XBet in 2009 after allegations of offering bets on cockfighting in certain regions and promoting a porn-themed casino. Additionally, the operator was a major advertiser on piracy sites that illegally streamed EPL soccer games.