1xBet

Following an investigation by The Sunday Times in 2019, their license was promptly rescinded by the UK Gambling Commission (UKGC) after revelations of involvement promoting a “pornhub casino”, bets on children's sports and advertising on illegal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.[1]

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.[2]

As of January 2021, 1xBet has amassed over 298,000 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.[3]

In early 2020, awareness was raised of an on-going scam involving embezzlement and unlawful practice, highlighting attention through diplomatic channels. [4]

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

In August 2020, the Directorate of the Investigative Committee for the Bryansk Region, released the names of the supposed creators of 1xBet. These are Sergey Karshkov, Roman Semiokhin and Dmitry Kazorin. [5]

The trio are suspected of organizing the online bookmaker 1xBet, and are defendants in a criminal case, with penalty of imprisonment.[6]

The UK has put them on the international wanted list - all three have Cypriot citizenship.[7]

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 prosecution.