August 12 – Russian bookmaker 1xBet – that has rapidly established a position in the international, often unregulated, betting market – has suspended its UK betting service following reports of it operating a ‘pornhub’ casino and complaints from punters unable to cash out their winnings.
1xBet raised its marketing profile for the start of this season with a series of big club sponsorships including with Barcelona, Liverpool and Chelsea (it was already a sponsor of Tottenham Hotspur).
The future of those deals may now be in doubt as the Gambling Commission has confirmed it is investigating the on line bookmaker and its operations.
1xBet, founded in 2011, has built its business via offering higher payout rates that are normally only found with Asian operators.
But actually getting paid out has proved problematic with internet forums pointing to gamblers unable to withdraw funds and multiple hurdles being put in their way to do so by 1xBet.
1xBet licenses its technology from FSB Technology Ltd which told the Sunday Times that players’ deposits would be protected and that it was reviewing its licensing deal.
One of 1xBet sites lured gamblers with topless croupiers while odds were also reportedly offered on children’s sports as well as ‘battlecock’ bets on live streamed cockfights.
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