Reviewed by The Best Sports Bet editorial team · Last updated June 2026 · Our editorial & review policy
Quick take for India: 1xBet advertises heavily across Indian cricket and football, but we cannot recommend it — and the reasons are specific to India. It is classified as an illegal offshore operator under India’s Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Bill, 2025, it operates without government approval, and in March 2026 the Enforcement Directorate (ED) attached ₹18.10 crore in assets linked to its operation. On top of that it carries serious global baggage: its UK licence was revoked, it’s banned in several major countries, its founders face international arrest warrants, and it has a record of disputed and unpaid winnings. For Indian punters, the legal and financial risk is real. Below is the full, sourced picture — and safer licensed alternatives. (18+. Gamble responsibly.)
Is 1xBet legal in India?
No. India’s Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Bill, 2025 classifies 1xBet as an illegal offshore betting site, and it operates without government approval. In March 2026, India’s Enforcement Directorate attached ₹18.10 crore in assets linked to 1xBet’s operation. Several states — including Andhra Pradesh and Telangana — ban online gambling outright, and enforcement nationwide is rising. If you’re in India, using 1xBet carries real legal and financial risk: there is no government recourse if your funds are frozen or your winnings are disputed. This is the single most important fact about 1xBet for an Indian punter, which is why it leads this review.
Is 1xBet licensed and legit?
1xBet was founded in 2007 and operates on a Curaçao (CGA) B2C licence, supplemented by local licences in 35+ markets across Latin America, Africa and parts of Europe. By scale it’s enormous and visible (sponsorships have included FC Barcelona). So it is a “real” operator — but a Curaçao licence offers no protection to an Indian punter, where the book is illegal anyway, and 1xBet’s conduct record is where the problems start.
The serious concerns you should know first
- Illegal in India + ED seizure (2026). Classified as an illegal offshore operator under the 2025 Online Gaming Bill; the Enforcement Directorate attached ₹18.10 crore in linked assets in March 2026.
- UK licence revoked (2019). The UK Gambling Commission revoked 1xBet’s licence following a Sunday Times investigation that reported bets offered on children’s sports and cockfighting, and advertising on illegal sites.
- Banned in multiple major markets. Following financial investigations, 1xBet is prohibited in the United States, United Kingdom, Russia, France and Spain.
- Criminal cases against founders. International arrest warrants have been issued for its founders, who are defendants in a Russian criminal case.
- Child-sports allegations (2024). Bellingcat and Josimar reported that 1xBet allegedly organised live-streamed amateur games involving fake teams and minors.
- Unpaid winnings. A 1xBet subsidiary (1xCorp MV) was declared bankrupt in Curaçao in 2022 after refusing to refund a group of players; the operator has been accused of structurally denying legitimate wins.
These are reported matters from sources including the UK Gambling Commission, India’s Enforcement Directorate, Wikipedia and investigative outlets — verify the current position yourself before making any decision.
Should an Indian punter use 1xBet?
Our answer is no. In India it is illegal and unprotected, the ED has already seized linked assets, and the global record — revoked UK licence, multiple bans, founder prosecutions, and disputed payouts — adds avoidable risk on top. Even setting India’s law aside, a properly licensed operator with a cleaner track record is the smarter choice. We don’t recommend 1xBet for Indian punters under any circumstances.
Safer, licensed alternatives for India
- Dafabet — our top India pick: licensed by the UK Gambling Commission, Curaçao, PAGCOR and the Isle of Man, with deep cricket and IPL markets, strong football Asian handicap, ₹ deposits via UPI, and a far cleaner regulatory record. Read our full Dafabet review →
- 22Bet — Curaçao/Kahnawake licensed, broad markets, ₹/UPI plus crypto-friendly; mind the slower card withdrawals. Read our full 22Bet review →
Whichever you consider, remember that all offshore books sit in India’s grey-to-illegal zone under the 2025 bill — check your own state’s law before you deposit, and never stake what you can’t afford to lose.
1xBet — frequently asked questions
Is 1xBet legal in India?
No — it’s classified as an illegal offshore operator under the 2025 Online Gaming Bill, it has no government approval, and India’s Enforcement Directorate attached ₹18.10 crore in linked assets in March 2026. We advise against it.
Is 1xBet safe?
It holds a Curaçao licence but carries serious documented concerns — a revoked UK licence, bans in several countries, criminal cases against its founders, and disputed/unpaid winnings. In India it is illegal and offers no recourse. Treat it with caution and avoid.
Why was 1xBet banned in the UK?
The UK Gambling Commission revoked its licence in 2019 after a Sunday Times investigation reported bets on children’s sports and other serious misconduct.
What’s a safer alternative to 1xBet for Indian punters?
Dafabet and 22Bet are licensed alternatives with cleaner records; Dafabet is the closest match for cricket and Asian handicap bettors and accepts ₹ via UPI. Note all offshore books are legally grey-to-illegal in India — check your state’s law.
Gamble responsibly — 18+. Betting can be addictive. Responsible gambling. If gambling is affecting you, seek local support.
