In an investigation by Bellingcat, an investigative website, it found that a live-streaming service by controversial casino and sportsbook 1XBet, based in Russia, was fake. The allegedly staged sports matches, which were filmed in locations throughout Russia, Ukraine, and Belarus, feature fake players who were playing matches from popular sports teams like 'Real Madrid' and 'Arsenal.' 1XBet is accused of match-fixing and there is an international arrest warrant for its founders, but it maintains strong ties with some of the world's top soccer teams, such as Paris St Germain and Barcelona.

In a dingy gym, an underwhelming three-a-side futsal game plays out on a miniature court. The lackluster spectacle is ironically referred to as Arsenal versus Real Madrid. With no spectators or referee in sight, the players appear indifferent. A team scores, but the moment passes without celebration, the game trudging along with an air of boredom. Elsewhere, a cricket match is unfolding in a similar vein - two teams competing in a room decked with murals of cheering crowds. Yet, despite the surroundings, the atmosphere remains flat.

These lackluster sports scenes may seem insignificant, but they are part of a larger, more concerning operation. These amateur games are being live-streamed, forming a crucial part of Russia-based sportsbook and casino company 1XBet's controversial betting platform.

The world of 1XBet's "Live Sports"

1XBet, a name known for its aggressive marketing, offers in-play bets on thousands of such "sports" games 24/7, all year round. The games, with their lack of passion and authenticity, are broadcast solely to entice bettors into placing wagers. Once hooked, bettors often become prime targets for cross-promotion to the operator's casino offerings. In many cases, the appeal lies not in the game itself but in the deceptive lure of a free live stream - after all, who wouldn't want to watch a game between giants like "Arsenal" and "Real Madrid?"

However, the reality is far less glamorous. Investigations have revealed that these amateur matches are often a far cry from legitimate competition, designed instead to feed into a murky gambling system that stretches across borders and operates outside of regulations.

Banned in Russia and Ukraine, but still operating

1XBet's operations have attracted attention from investigative journalists. Bellingcat, an investigative site, recently conducted an in-depth examination of the peculiar matches, reviewing hundreds of hours of footage. Using advanced techniques such as reverse image searches, they identified the locations of these games, tracing them to venues across Ukraine, Russia, and Belarus.

This revelation is critical because 1XBet is banned in both Ukraine and Russia. As a matter of fact, the sportsbook and casino's founders, Sergey Karshkov, Dmitry Kazorin, and Roman Semiokhin, faced legal trouble in Russia in 2020. Prosecutors issued international arrest warrants, accusing the trio of illegal gambling operations. The indictment painted 1XBet as one of the largest sportsbooks globally, with reported revenues of $2 billion. Meanwhile, in September 2022, Ukrainian gambling regulators revoked 1XBet's license due to its strong connections with Russia. Despite these bans, 1XBet continues to exploit loopholes, enabling the bizarre sports betting streams to persist.

More than just a game: the mechanics of fake matches

During the inquiry, Bellingcat uncovered more than just obscure venues and games. In some cases, players representing a particular team, such as Liverpool, would show up in later matches playing for a different club, like Barcelona. This recycling of players between games, and even between teams, cast doubt on the legitimacy of the competitions.

Perhaps most disturbingly, Bellingcat and its partner, Josimar Football, discovered that some of the players involved in these sham matches were only 14 years of age. Such involvement of minors raises serious ethical and legal concerns about the nature of these games and how 1XBet structures its tournaments.

Josimar Football was able to track down one of the players who participated in these staged games. While the player claimed they were not explicitly instructed to fix matches, there were clear boundaries in place - such as not scoring over five goals per game. Such constraints amount to match-fixing, as they predetermine a certain level of outcome.

A tarnished brand with big ties

Despite these controversies, 1XBet has not hesitated to partner with some of the world's biggest football clubs. The platform currently maintains commercial relationships with powerhouses like Paris St. Germain and Barcelona. This is despite its liberal appropriation of the names of the world's top soccer teams, using them to draw in bettors with the false allure of major sporting events.

However, some teams have chosen to sever ties. In 2019, English Premier League clubs such as Tottenham, Chelsea, and Liverpool dropped their sponsorship deals with 1XBet after the sportsbook was accused of offering bets on controversial events like cockfighting and promoting a casino with a porn theme. Additionally, 1XBet was found to be one of the most prominent promoters on piracy sites that offered EPL matches which were illegally streamed.

The bigger picture

1XBet's business model, blending misleading live sports streams with aggressive betting practices, raises serious questions about the ethics of the modern gambling industry. While partnerships with top clubs provide a sheen of legitimacy, the realities behind the scenes tell a different story. From sham matches to accusations of match-fixing and murky legal standings, 1XBet symbolizes the challenges regulators face in curbing the darker side of online betting and casino gaming.