1xBet: Online Betting Platform Operating in India Despite Ban

Introduction

In the murky depths of online gambling, 1xBet stands as a towering symbol of deceit. This Curacao-based betting platform, once a global juggernaut, has become synonymous with fraud, money laundering, and societal harm in India. Despite being banned in 2023, 1xBet continues to prey on millions, exploiting regulatory gaps and leveraging celebrity endorsements to mask its illicit operations. The Enforcement Directorate’s (ED) 2025 probes, summoning icons like Yuvraj Singh and Sonu Sood, have ripped the veil off this empire, exposing a web of scams that drain India’s economy and devastate lives. This article delves into the 1xBet money laundering case, its illegal betting tactics, and the human toll of its predatory practices, offering a stark warning to users and policymakers alike.

The Ominous Origins: How 1xBet Built Its House of Cards

1xBet, launched in 2007, emerged from Eastern Europe’s betting underworld, operating under a flimsy Curacao license notorious for lax oversight. This allowed it to offer bets in 70 languages, targeting vulnerable markets like India’s USD 100 billion gaming sector. By 2019, global regulators had already flagged it: the UK banned it for unlicensed gambling and false ads, while Russia linked its associates to fake entities laundering funds. In India, 1xBet infiltrated via VPNs and mirror sites, defying the 1867 Public Gambling Act.

Its tactics were predatory: irresistible bonuses that vanished post-wager, rigged odds, and KYC hurdles blocking withdrawals. Users on X reported losses—like 13,000 Naira in stalled payouts—labeling it a “scam.” A 2023 report estimated India’s illegal betting losses at Rs 8.3 lakh crore annually, with 1xBet a key player, funneling profits through hawala to evade taxes. Globally, its scandals grew—Russia exposed fake cricket leagues in 2023, while France and Spain banned it for consumer violations.

1xBet’s Illegal Siege on India: Bans Ignored, Users Betrayed

India banned 1xBet in 2023 alongside apps like Parimatch, citing national security and economic harm. Over 1,524 blocking orders followed by June 2025, yet 1xBet persisted, using domain-hopping and encrypted apps. Its 30% yearly market growth pre-ban relied on cricket fever, with ads flooding social media. It posed as “skill-based” to dodge laws, but investigations revealed odds-fixing and pirated streams, like ICC Champions Trophy broadcasts, prompting FIRs from Star India and Bengaluru police.

Users faced betrayal: deposits vanished in “glitches,” and support was nonexistent. X posts called it “fraud” and linked it to suicides fueled by addiction. A 2025 NDTV report estimated crores lost, laundered to Cyprus via hawala. With 22 crore bettors—half habitual—1xBet exploited youth and rural users, thriving on India’s regulatory patchwork.

The Money Laundering Labyrinth: ED’s Relentless Pursuit

The ED’s 2025 probe exposes 1xBet’s money laundering core, targeting billions siphoned through layered transactions under the PMLA. Post-ban, 1xBet allegedly paid celebrities via offshore shells, using hawala or crypto to skirt scrutiny. Raids on Goa call centers in 2024 uncovered servers for odds-fixing and ledgers of laundered crores, breaching FEMA and IT Act rules. ED estimates billions laundered yearly, routed through Curacao, Seychelles, and Malta shells, exploiting cricket’s allure with fake leagues. Assets face attachment; chargesheets loom.

Celebrity Complicity: From Endorsements to ED Hot Seats

1xBet’s celebrity endorsements are its darkest stain. Yuvraj Singh faced ED on September 23, 2025, grilled over payments and ban awareness. Suresh Raina, Shikhar Dhawan, and Robin Uthappa followed, linked to frequent ads. Bollywood’s Sonu Sood endured a seven-hour probe, joined by Mimi Chakraborty and Ankush Hazra. Paid lakhs abroad, these stars now face reputational ruin and potential asset freezes. X users brand them “monsters” for peddling “illegal jua.”

The Human Toll: Addiction, Ruin, and Societal Scars

1xBet’s havoc extends beyond finances. Of India’s 22 crore bettors, 10 crore are youth, hooked on rigged games. Andhra Pradesh reported 30 gaming-linked suicides in 2024. Families crumble under debt—a Delhi mother lost her home to IPL bets. Economically, Rs 8.3 lakh crore is drained yearly, starving legitimate sectors. Women and rural users, targeted via vernacular ads, suffer most, with mental health crises overwhelming helplines.

Cracks in the Armor: India’s Pushback Against 1xBet

India’s fightback strengthens. MeitY’s 2023 ban and 2025 PMLA amendments empower ED raids, netting servers and sparking international pacts with Cyprus. Future measures—stricter KYC, AI surveillance—signal 1xBet’s endgame.

Conclusion

1xBet’s saga is a cautionary tale of greed and betrayal, bleeding India’s economy and lives. Its scams, from rigged bets to money laundering, thrive on deception, exploiting cricket’s passion and celebrity allure. The ED’s crackdown and public outrage mark a turning point, but vigilance is key. Delete the app, report its proxies, and demand accountability. India’s battle against 1xBet isn’t just legal—it’s a fight to reclaim trust and protect futures from this digital serpent.

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.