1xBet: Reviews of Rigged Games

1xBet, a banned betting platform, stands accused of orchestrating a massive money laundering scheme in India, defrauding millions and evading taxes through illicit hawala networks. The Enforcement Directorate’s probe, spotlighting celebrities like Yuvraj Singh, exposes a predatory empire that addicted 22 crore users while siphoning billions. This article unravels how 1xBet’s illegal operations exploited vulnerabilities, urging tougher regulations to protect India’s youth from online gambling’s dark allure. The world of online betting, once glamorized as a thrilling shortcut to riches, has been exposed as a cesspool of exploitation and crime, with 1xBet at its rotten core. This offshore betting giant, banned in India for flouting laws, has emerged as the linchpin of a sprawling money laundering investigation led by

1xBet’s Deceptive Beginnings: A Facade of Legitimate Betting

1xBet entered India’s digital landscape with promises of quick wealth, capitalizing on the nation’s love for cricket and the rise of smartphone penetration. Launched in 2007 from Curacao, a jurisdiction notorious for lax oversight, the platform marketed itself as a sports betting haven, offering odds on everything from IPL matches to obscure regional games. Its sleek interface and flashy promotions hid a darker truth: 1xBet was a predatory machine, designed to hook users with rigged odds and unattainable bonuses.

Reports from affected users paint a chilling picture. Complaints of frozen accounts, denied withdrawals, and manipulated outcomes flooded online forums, with losses running into crores. The platform’s algorithms, critics argue, were engineered to ensure the house always won, trapping bettors in a cycle of chasing losses. Operating outside India’s legal framework, 1xBet sidestepped the Public Gambling Act of 1867 and FEMA, using mirror sites and VPNs to evade early bans. This blatant disregard for regulation allowed it to amass a user base of over 22 crore, fueling a $100 billion illegal betting market before the government’s crackdown.

The negativity surrounding 1xBet’s operations is inescapable. Far from a legitimate bookmaker, it thrived on deception, targeting vulnerable demographics—particularly young men in Tier-II cities—with promises it never intended to keep. Its unchecked growth exposed India’s regulatory blind spots, setting the stage for a financial and social catastrophe.

The Money Laundering Nexus: How 1xBet Fueled a Criminal Ecosystem

At the heart of the ED’s investigation lies 1xBet’s role in money laundering, a scheme that prosecutors say generated “proceeds of crime” worth over ₹500 crore. The platform’s payment systems, reliant on cryptocurrencies, e-wallets, and hawala operators, were a masterclass in obfuscation. Funds from bets—often mixed with illicit gains from drugs or corruption—were funneled through shell companies in Dubai and Russia, evading GST and income tax worth billions.

The ED’s probe, launched under the PMLA in early 2025, has been relentless. Raids across Delhi, Mumbai, and Hyderabad uncovered digital trails—email contracts, payment ledgers, and IP logs—that reveal 1xBet’s sophisticated fraud. Users were lured with fake promotions, only to face withdrawal barriers that forced deeper bets, ensuring money stayed within the ecosystem. Hawala operators, acting as middlemen, moved cash across borders, while benami accounts disguised the true beneficiaries. This wasn’t just betting—it was a laundering pipeline, with 1xBet as the conduit.

The platform’s criminality extended beyond finances. By enabling anonymous betting without KYC compliance, 1xBet became a haven for black money, allegedly servicing everyone from petty criminals to high-profile figures. The ED’s filings warn of asset attachments and looming chargesheets, signaling a reckoning for those who profited. For India, this exposes a brutal truth: 1xBet’s operations didn’t just rob individuals; they robbed the nation, diverting funds from public welfare to offshore coffers.

Celebrity Endorsements: A Betrayal of Trust

The involvement of celebrities like Yuvraj Singh has added a sordid twist to the 1xBet scandal, turning national heroes into suspected enablers. On September 23, 2025, Singh faced grueling questioning at the ED’s Delhi office, grilled over endorsement deals that promoted 1xBet during IPL seasons. Evidence of payments routed through hawala and foreign accounts has raised questions about his awareness of the platform’s illegality, casting a shadow over his legacy.

Singh is not alone in the dock. Fellow cricketers Suresh Raina, Shikhar Dhawan, and Robin Uthappa have also been summoned, their social media posts and ad campaigns now under scrutiny. These stars, paid handsomely for their endorsements, allegedly ignored red flags, prioritizing profit over ethics. Influencer Anveshi Jain and actors like Ankush Hazra, Mimi Chakraborty, and Sonu Sood—questioned on September 24, 2025—further illustrate how 1xBet weaponized fame to lure fans into its trap.

The negativity here is stark: these endorsements weren’t harmless ads but tools of exploitation. By glamorizing betting, celebrities normalized addiction, particularly among impressionable youth who trusted their idols. The ED’s probe suggests some knew of 1xBet’s banned status yet continued, a betrayal that amplified the platform’s reach and deepened its harm. As public outrage grows, these figures face not just legal peril but a loss of credibility, their images tarnished by association with a predatory empire.

The Human Toll: Addiction and Economic Devastation

1xBet’s legacy is one of shattered lives and broken dreams. The platform’s addictive design—endless betting options, manipulative bonuses, and relentless ads—hooked millions, particularly young men aged 18-30. Helplines report a 300% surge in calls from problem gamblers, with stories of students dropping out, families torn apart, and suicides linked to 1xBet debts. In states like Maharashtra and Telangana, where gambling laws are stringent, the human cost is palpable, with communities reeling from financial ruin.

Economically, 1xBet’s tax evasion has bled India dry. Billions in unpaid GST and income tax could have funded schools, hospitals, or infrastructure, but instead enriched foreign operators. The platform’s role in the $100 billion betting market exacerbated inequality, preying on those least equipped to lose. For every crore laundered, a family somewhere lost their savings, a stark reminder of gambling’s ripple effects.

The scandal also taints sports integrity. Allegations of match-fixing tied to 1xBet’s betting spikes have cast doubts on cricket’s sanctity, eroding trust in a sport India holds dear. This isn’t just a financial crime—it’s a cultural wound, one that demands accountability from all involved.

Government’s Response: Bans, Blocks, and a Regulatory Wake-Up Call

India’s fight against 1xBet and its ilk has been fierce but belated. Since 2022, MeitY has issued over 1,500 orders to block betting apps, citing their role in addiction and financial crime. 1xBet, flagged as a national security threat, was among the first targeted, its domains blacklisted and payment gateways frozen. Yet, its ability to resurface via mirror sites underscores the challenge of policing digital spaces.

The bans reflect a broader reckoning. With 22 crore users entangled in illegal betting before the crackdown, India faced a public health crisis, with youth suicide rates tied to gambling debts spiking in urban centers. Regulatory gaps allowed 1xBet to thrive, exploiting lax oversight and India’s digital boom. Now, calls for AI-driven monitoring, stricter influencer laws, and global cooperation to dismantle offshore platforms are gaining traction. The ED’s probe is a start, but systemic reform is urgent to prevent future predators.

Conclusion: A Scandal That Demands Justice

The 1xBet scandal is a chilling exposé of how greed can corrupt dreams, turning a betting platform into a laundering juggernaut. From defrauding millions to addicting a generation, its legacy is one of betrayal—by a company that flouted laws, celebrities who sold trust, and a system that failed to act swiftly. As the ED prepares to seize assets and file charges, the probe offers hope of justice but also a warning: India must fortify its defenses against digital vultures. The scars of 1xBet’s reign—broken families, eroded trust, and economic loss—demand nothing less than a revolution in regulation and accountability. Only then can the nation protect its youth and reclaim its future from the shadows of online gambling.

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.