- Casino
- By State
- Alabama
- Alaska
- Arizona
- Arkansas
- California
- Colorado
- Connecticut
- Delaware
- Georgia
- Florida
- Hawaii
- Idaho
- Illinois
- Indiana
- Iowa
- Kansas
- Kentucky
- Louisiana
- Maine
- Massachusetts
- Maryland
- Michigan
- Minnesota
- Mississippi
- Missouri
- Montana
- Nebraska
- Nevada
- New Hampshire
- New Jersey
- New Mexico
- New York
- North Carolina
- North Dakota
- Ohio
- Oklahoma
- Oregon
- Pennsylvania
- Rhode Island
- South Carolina
- South Dakota
- Tennessee
- Texas
- Utah
- Vermont
- Virginia
- Washington
- West Virginia
- Wisconsin
- Wyoming
- By State
- Slots
- Poker
- Sports
- Esports
FC Barcelona Retains Fraught Partnership with 1xBet

FC Barcelona will for the time being retain its partnership with 1xBet, a global sports company with significant clout in international betting markets and a patchy history. The club, which has suffered a downturn in its net revenue, has turned to 1xBet as one of its most lucrative partnership opportunities contributing close to $10 million annually after replacing Betfair, a British betting exchange.
1xBet Is a Cash Cow with a Catch
The soccer club has decided to stick to 1xBet. The company’s founders are Russian businessmen allegedly on Interpol’s wanted list, but GamblingNews has not been able to independently verify this based on Interpol’s open database. However, FC Barcelona has pointed out that 1xBet is currently registered in Cyprus and that it exited Russia over two years ago.
1xBet was found to be conducting “illegal activities” in Russia which prompted authorities to clamp down on the operator and take its license. The company denied wrongdoing and complied with the decision. If Russia’s word may need to be taken with an ocean of salt these days, the rulings of the United Kingdom Gambling Commission are usually trusted and well-weighed.
1xBet has similarly been denied a license to operate in the United Kingdom, as the company was sponsoring illegal sports broadcasting websites, the regulator said. The founders, Serguei Karshkov and Román Semiojin, and Dimitri Kazorin whose role as founder has not been confirmed, but he is associated with the previous two, have all faced a litany of charges in Russia, precisely in relation to illegal gambling and other fraudulent activities.
1xBet has been able to establish a bit of a repute by successfully associating itself with prominent soccer clubs. Among its former partners are Chelsea, Liverpool, Tottenham Hotspur, and now Barcelona. Chelsea’s recent drama involving its now-former owner Roman Abramovich, who is facing severe sanctions because of Russia’s illegal invasion of Ukraine, has prompted journalists to ask Jürgen Klopp, the manager of Liverpool, what he made of the situation.
Do Fans Care Where Sponsor Money Come From?
Klopp was even asked if he cared that Chelsea’s money came from Abramovich who has close ties with the Kremlin regime and has arguably helped in some way facilitate the war. To this Klopp simply responded that the journalist had been in the United Kingdom longer than he had and whether anyone had cared – including the fans.
Klopp raised an important issue, though, and that is the fact that where the money in soccer comes from is important, and turning a blind eye is a deplorable thing to do. Morality aside, 1xBet has too many red flags to be ignored. This puts Barcelona’s current president, Joan Laporta, in a difficult position.
Does he continue collaborating with 1xBet despite the sportsbook’s notoriety or does he forego millions of dollars to uphold morality and leave the club’s consciences clean? Last year, an intermediary for 1xBet in Russia was sentenced to three years in prison. The company itself has been able to successfully secure a license in Mexico in 2020 and many other jurisdictions ever since and continues to expand its clout.
Although Fiona doesn't have a long-spanning background within the gambling industry, she is an incredibly skilled journalist who has built a strong interest in the constantly growing iGaming network. The team at Gambling News is glad to have her on our roster to help deliver the best stories as soon as they hit. Aside from writing, she loves to dabble in online casino games such as slots and roulette, both for her own enjoyment and also as research to better improve her understanding of the industry.
Must Read
Sports
September 10, 2025
Greece vs. Turkey EuroBasket 2025 Odds, Time, and Prediction
Sports
September 10, 2025
Newcastle vs. Barcelona Champions League Odds, Time, and Prediction
Sports
September 11, 2025
Magomed Ankalaev vs. Alex Pereira UFC 320 Odds, Time, and Prediction
More Articles
Casino
September 15, 2025
No Changes to Norway’s Gambling in Wake of General Election Expected
Sports
September 15, 2025
Massachusetts Sues Kalshi Over Alleged Unlawful Sports Betting
Industry
September 15, 2025
Curaçao Regulator Takes BC.Game License Revocation Off Public List
Industry
September 15, 2025
Lawmakers Try Again to End Federal Sports Betting Tax
Sports
September 12, 2025
Finland’s Floorball League Rocked by Wagering Scandal
Sports
September 12, 2025
NCAA Investigating 13 More College Players for Betting Violations
Sports
September 12, 2025
HK Makes History Approving Bill to Legalize Basketball Betting
Sports
September 11, 2025
NBA Keeps Looking Into Malik Beasley After Questionable Betting Trends
Industry
September 10, 2025
UK’s Horseracing Industry Goes on Historic Strike Due to Higher Taxes
Sports
September 10, 2025
Newcastle vs. Barcelona Champions League Odds, Time, and Prediction
Sports
September 10, 2025
Greece vs. Turkey EuroBasket 2025 Odds, Time, and Prediction