UKGC Puts 1xBet on Probation Due to Breaching Rules, UK-faced Site Currently Unavailable

Following Sunday Times’ investigation, online gambling operator, 1xBet, has currently closed its UK-facing site. As far as Sunday reports, the UK Gambling Commission (UKGC) examines the activities of 1xBet, which failed to follow multiple rules given by the regulator.

The bookmaker had operated in the UK under a white-label agreement with platform provider, FSB Tech. Until the situation resolves, the only feature to be found on the UK-1xbet.com website is a splash screen stating ‘this site is not currently available.’

Reviewing the Relationship

What seems to be the biggest concern among 1xBet’s UK consumers…

…is the safety of their account balances, However, FSB announced that there are no reasons to worry about that.

In addition to this, the provider stated the bookmaker has always complied with its own UK regulatory obligations. Nevertheless, due to this course of events, the relationship with 1xBet will be reviewed as well.

Among numerous irregular operations, the operator was caught offering betting markets on cockfights and under-19 athletic competitions. What’s even more, it was also slammed for advertising on video file-sharing sites. The last activity has been prohibited for all the UKGC licensees since 2016.

The Commission introduced new changes aiming to enhance player protection. The main mission is to “improve the transparency of funding for research, prevention, and treatment.”

Nudity Involved

Besides the several regularities mentioned, the biggest one, as far as the source claims, is the operator’s relationship with so-called ‘pornhub casino,’ which involves topless croupiers. Allegedly, this platform employed advertising featuring female cartoon nudity that linked back to the UK site.

Defending the company, the spokesperson of the accused venue told the Times that its alleged misdeeds were likely the result of “third-party networks or partners.” Moreover, they pledged to “immediately” investigate how their ads appeared on “prohibited sites or sites which break the law.”

Partnerships at Serious Risk

Initially working as a Russian betting operator, the team launched an overseas business based in Cyprus and licensed in Curacao. However, these operations recently earned a spot on Russia’s online gambling payment processing blacklist.

The UK public profile drew plenty of attention recently…

…. thanks to inking betting partnerships with three prominent football clubs: Barcelona, Liverpool, and Chelsea, adding to the company’s existing alignment with Tottenham. The future of these successful agreements is now in serious jeopardy.

Punished by Dutch Authorities

This is not the first time that the bookmaker ended up in hot water…

…as they already received penalties from Dutch authorities. Gaming operator, 1xBet, was hit by Dutch gambling regulator, Kansspelautoriteit, slapped them with a €400,000 fine for unauthorized targeting of consumers in the Netherlands.

As far as the regulator points out, neither of the two websites – 1xBet.com and xbet-1.com – which were accessible from this country, holds licenses to offer services there.

Source:

“1xBet shuts UK site following Sunday Times investigation”, Steven Stradbrooke, calvinayre.com, August 12, 2019.