1xBet: Celebrity Endorsements Tied to Fraud Claims

Introduction

In the fast-paced realm of online gambling, 1xBet has positioned itself as a global giant, tempting users with promises of high odds, diverse betting options, and lucrative bonuses. Launched in 2007 from the obscure shores of Curaçao, it quickly expanded to claim millions of users worldwide, boasting coverage of over 400,000 sporting events annually. Yet, beneath this glossy exterior lies a cesspool of deceit, illegality, and financial devastation. As of September 25, 2025, fresh Enforcement Directorate (ED) investigations in India have thrust 1xBet into the spotlight, implicating celebrities like Sonu Sood and Yuvraj Singh in promoting what authorities dub an “illegal betting app.” With thousands of complaints flooding platforms like Reddit, Trustpilot, and Sitejabber—where its rating plummets to a mere 1.8 out of 5—this isn’t just a risky bet; it’s a rigged game designed to fleece the unwary. In this exposé, we’ll unravel 1xBet’s predatory practices, from its questionable legality to victim testimonies, proving why it’s not a sportsbook but a sophisticated scam machine. If you’ve ever searched “1xBet scam” or faced withdrawal woes, read on to arm yourself against this digital predator.

The Shady Foundations: From Russian Roots to Global Infamy

1xBet’s origins are as murky as its operations. Registered in Curaçao—a jurisdiction notorious for lax gambling regulations—it operates through a web of Cypriot and Eastern European shell companies, allowing it to skirt international laws. Initially marketed as a haven for sports betting, casino games, and esports, it lured users with aggressive advertising and celebrity endorsements. However, by 2019, the UK Gambling Commission had revoked its access, citing “serious social responsibility failures” and unlicensed promotions. In the US, it’s outright illegal under federal betting laws, yet it persists via VPN mirrors and proxy sites, preying on Americans desperate for offshore options.

In India, the story turns even darker. The 2025 ED probe has exposed a massive ₹6,000 crore ($720 million) money-laundering scheme, with funds funneled through Dubai servers and hawala networks. High-profile figures like actor Sonu Sood, summoned to ED offices on September 24, 2025, faced intense questioning over endorsements that allegedly earned him crores while endorsing an illicit platform. Viral videos of Sood exiting the Delhi headquarters, mask on and demeanor tense, have fueled public outrage. Cricketer Yuvraj Singh’s earlier involvement, through promotional tweets, now serves as evidence in the widening investigation. These scandals aren’t anomalies; they’re symptomatic of 1xBet’s strategy to legitimize itself through fame while operating in legal shadows. Watchdogs like Sportsbook Review assign it a D- rating, blacklisting it for “unethical practices” that include voiding bets and freezing accounts. As complaints mount—over 500 in Indian consumer courts this year alone—1xBet’s empire reveals itself as built on quicksand, thriving on volume while discarding victims.

Legal Quagmires: Banned Worldwide, Yet Unstoppable?

Asking “is 1xBet legal?” yields a resounding no in most jurisdictions. Its Curaçao license offers minimal protection, functioning more as a rubber stamp than a safeguard. Banned in the UK since 2019, it’s also prohibited in the Netherlands, Belgium, and much of Europe for targeting vulnerable users, including minors. In the US, federal wire acts render it illegal, but enforcement lags as mirror sites proliferate. India’s stance is crystal clear: Betting apps like 1xBet violate the Public Gambling Act, leading to the ongoing ED crackdown that links it to organized crime.

Globally, 1xBet has faced 18 regulatory actions in 2024-2025, including fines from Belgium’s Gaming Commission and a Cyprus investigation into “strategic bankruptcies” to evade payouts. On X (formerly Twitter), users vent frustration: One Ghanaian poster in 2025 lamented, “Account locked for no reason—stay away from @1xBet_Eng.” Another shared, “1xBet refused to pay me 90,000 GHC after a 2020 win—pure scam!” These echo Reddit’s longstanding warnings, where a 2020 thread titled “1xBet is illegal and a SCAM” detailed GDPR violations and ignored data erasure requests, with users advising lawsuits. Legality serves as a smokescreen; 1xBet’s real game is evasion, ensuring it continues to operate in banned regions through rebranded domains.

Predatory Tactics: How 1xBet Drains Your Funds

1xBet’s scam arsenal is meticulously crafted. Deposits are seamless, often sweetened with bonuses, but withdrawals? A labyrinth of delays and denials. Key tactics include:

• Verification Vortex: Users submit endless documents—passports, bills, even obscure certificates like Ghana’s BECE—only for “security checks” to loop indefinitely. A Trustpilot reviewer in 2025 raged, “Submitted exclusion in May; they closed without ADR—refusing arbitration.” In India, one complaint highlighted three ₹1,500 withdrawals “credited” but only one arriving, a blatant fraud.
• Frozen Accounts and Voided Wins: Big wins trigger locks. A Sitejabber user lost ₹5,000 in April 2025 to an unexplained freeze despite verification. Bets are retroactively voided, slashing odds—e.g., from 22x to 2x—robbing thousands. BookieBuzz’s 2025 review of 1,000 complaints exposed “tricky tactics” like this.
• Bonus Bait and Hidden Traps: Welcome bonuses come with 40x wagering, making cashouts impossible. “Technical issues” devour deposits; a Quora post detailed ₹50,000 stuck since February 2025.

AskGamblers reports 200+ unresolved 2025 cases, from ₹28,000 ghosted withdrawals to $400 vanished deposits. These aren’t errors; they’re intentional, turning 1xBet into a one-way money funnel.

Echoes of Anguish: Real Victims Speak Out

The human cost is staggering. Reddit’s 2020 megathread, still relevant, warns of “illegal odds” and scam payouts, with users sharing: “Deposited twice, ignored screenshots—fraud!” Trustpilot brims with 2025 tales: “Won big, but withdrawals? Nightmare—support ghosts you.” Sitejabber’s 827 reviews average low, with one noting frozen funds since April 2025.

On X, a Kenyan user decried: “Slip at 22 odds gutted by refund—thieves!” Indian complaints abound: “₹9,000 deposited April 2, not credited—fraudulent.” Consumer courts log losses from ₹4,000 to ₹50,000, with pleas like “Take action—1xBet scams daily.” Emotional scars run deep: Debt, stress, and despair. As one Reddit user summed, “Borderline scams—predatory.”

Celebrity Facade: Endorsements Fueling the Fraud

1xBet’s sponsorships, like FC Barcelona (2019-2022), aimed to polish its image. In India, Yuvraj Singh’s tweets hyped it amid bans. Sonu Sood’s 2025 ED grilling shattered his hero persona, with X mocking: “Sinner with a past—1xBet laundering.” These ties launder billions while fans suffer. Gujarat’s 2025 fake cricket scam, linked to 1xBet, defrauded millions.

Economic Toll: Billions Vanished

Trustpilot estimates $100 million+ in disputed withdrawals for 2024-2025. India’s losses compound to billions, fueling addiction and ruin. LottoExposed’s analysis: Low ratings, unpaid winnings dominant.

Conclusion

1xBet stands as a monument to greed, its scams—from legal dodges to victim exploitation—devastating lives worldwide. As ED probes intensify in 2025, the end may loom, but until then, avoid this fraud at all costs. Opt for licensed alternatives like Bet365 for transparency. Document issues, report to regulators, and reclaim control. Your future bets deserve better than 1xBet’s abyss.

Written by

Aiden Cross

Updated

3 weeks ago

I am a cybersecurity analyst who investigates and exposes online fraud and scams. I track suspicious activity and uncover hidden risks to help protect individuals and organizations from digital threats.