1xBet, a controversial online gambling platform with a history of questionable practices, is back in the spotlight for streaming thousands of sports events worldwide, including amateur games and matches involving minors. A recent investigative report by Bellingcat reveals troubling insights into how 1xBet continues its operations despite bans in countries like Russia, Ukraine, and Belarus.
Gambling Content from Children’s Sports
One of the most glaring issues is the use of children’s sports events for gambling content. Investigators discovered matches streamed from a children’s football school in Russia’s Bryansk region. These events, sometimes paired with military exhibitions, highlight a disturbing intersection of politics and sports. Alarmingly, parents and young players were unaware that their games were being broadcast for betting purposes.
Streaming Matches from War Zones
In Ukraine, where 1xBet is banned, the platform has been broadcasting basketball matches, even from conflict zones. Venues such as Kyiv’s Svoi Arena claimed ignorance of these partnerships, raising questions about how 1xBet accesses and streams games from restricted areas
Staged Matches in Empty Venues
In Belarus, matches played in deserted venues appear to have been staged purely for gambling content. Investigators found that these games lacked legitimacy, serving solely as tools for the platform to feed its betting system. This practice further demonstrates the platform’s prioritization of profits over the integrity of sports.
Privacy Violations and Teenage Athletes
1xBet has also targeted teenage athletes, broadcasting their league games without consent. These unauthorized broadcasts not only violate privacy rights but also expose vulnerable young players to potential exploitation. Parents and coaches remain largely unaware of the platform’s involvement, raising serious questions about regulatory oversight.
Systemic Issues and the Need for Stronger Regulation
The findings from the Bellingcat investigation illustrate a deeper, more systemic issue within the world of online gambling. Despite being banned in multiple jurisdictions, 1xBet continues to operate by exploiting legal loopholes and weak enforcement in certain regions. This situation underscores the vulnerability of unregulated gambling platforms and the ease with which they can bypass restrictions to continue their operations. The platform’s actions also expose the lack of effective regulatory oversight, especially in regions where sports organizations and governments have failed to adequately protect athletes, particularly minors, from exploitation.


As the 1xBet case unfolds, it serves as a call to action for regulators, sports organizations, and governments worldwide to take a stronger stance against the exploitation of sports for gambling purposes. Only through coordinated efforts and tighter regulations can we hope to protect the integrity of sports and the rights of young athletes from the predatory practices of online gambling platforms.
The revelations surrounding 1xBet’s operations highlight a disturbing pattern of exploitation that extends beyond the realm of gambling. By targeting vulnerable groups, such as minors and amateur athletes, and streaming matches from conflict zones and staged venues, 1xBet underscores the urgent need for comprehensive regulation and accountability in the global online gambling industry. The platform’s ability to operate despite multiple bans reveals a glaring gap in enforcement mechanisms and international cooperation among regulatory bodies.
This case raises serious ethical and legal concerns. Exploiting children’s sports for profit not only violates privacy and consent but also undermines the values that sports are meant to uphold, integrity, fair play, and community. Broadcasting games without permission, especially in war-torn areas, is a stark reminder of how some corporations prioritize profit over human rights and decency. The role of local sports organizations, venues, and governments also comes under scrutiny, as their lack of vigilance has allowed such exploitation to persist.
Addressing these issues demands a multi-faceted approach. International regulators must establish stringent policies that hold gambling platforms accountable, regardless of their base of operations. Simultaneously, sports organizations must implement safeguards to protect athletes, particularly minors, from exploitation. Public awareness campaigns can empower parents and communities to question and resist such practices.
Ultimately, the fight against platforms like 1xBet is not just about regulation; it’s about safeguarding the integrity of sports, protecting vulnerable individuals, and upholding ethical standards in the digital age. The global sports community and regulatory bodies must act swiftly and decisively to close the loopholes that allow such exploitation to thrive.
We covered an investigation into another gambling company owner, Maxim Krippa who is using his gambling empire to whitewash the Russian image.