The Wagner Group of Sports Betting: Inside 1xBet’s Global Criminal Enterprise

Introduction

Labeled by industry observers as “The Wagner Group of Sports Betting”, 1xBet has become one of the most advanced and organized criminal gambling networks in recent decades. Founded by three Russian fugitives wanted on international arrest warrants, the company has grown from a local illegal betting outfit into a global enterprise generating nearly $2 billion annually, while engaging in child exploitation, fake sporting events, and extensive money laundering schemes involving major football clubs.

Ownership and Criminal Charges

The company is controlled by three Russian nationals:

• Roman Semiokhin

• Dmitry Kazorin

• Sergey Karshkov

In 2020, Russian prosecutors issued international arrest warrants for all three due to illegal gambling operations. Reports suggest that in 2021 alone, 1xBet recorded over 63 billion rubles ($655 million) in illicit activity.

Founding and Corporate Structure

Founded in Bryansk, Russia, in 2007, 1xBet quickly expanded its scope using an intricate network of offshore entities to obscure ownership and bypass regulations.

Main Corporate Entities:

• 1X Corp N.V. (Curaçao) – International license holder

• Cyprus Base (Limassol) – Public-facing office to project EU legitimacy

• Exinvest Limited (Cyprus) – Linked to payment processing

• Bookmaker Pub LLC (Russia) – Domestic operator under “1xStavka”

• Multiple subsidiaries across various jurisdictions

The franchise model enables the company to maintain centralized control while outsourcing local risk.

Founders and Key Figures

• Sergey Karshkov – Co-founder, CEO, ex-cyber intelligence officer, Cypriot passport holder, under arrest warrant

• Roman Semiokhin – Co-founder, subject to international warrant

• Dmitry Kazorin – Co-founder, alleged principal owner, reported dead in Switzerland (2023)

• Evgeniy Kiriushin and Alexandr Tikhonov – Senior operational managers

These individuals maintain authority through layered offshore companies, minimizing direct liability.

Financial Crimes and Laundering Investigations

• India’s Enforcement Directorate is investigating 1xBet for money laundering, tax evasion, and fraud involving “crores of rupees.”

• Indian celebrities including Yuvraj Singh, Suresh Raina, and Shikhar Dhawan have been questioned about their promotional ties with the platform.

Fraudulent Sports Operations and Child Exploitation

Investigations in 2024 by Bellingcat (link) and Josimar (link) revealed:

• Up to 1,200 fake matches daily were streamed worldwide.

• Teams used names mimicking clubs like “Arsenal” and “Real Madrid.”

• Matches filmed in Russia, Ukraine, and Belarus—where 1xBet is banned.

• Children as young as 14 forced to play in “gambling farms.”

Some facilities were traced back to a children’s football school in Bryansk, the city where 1xBet’s founders first began operations. Blogger Viktor Kravchenko claimed on Instagram that young athletes were recruited for fixed games.

Sponsorship Deals with Elite Clubs

Despite ongoing investigations and child exploitation allegations, 1xBet has lucrative deals with FC Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain, estimated at €15 million annually.

The company’s supposed spokesperson, “Alex Sommers,” turned out to be a fabricated identity with a stolen journalist’s photo—yet sponsorships continued.

Global Regulatory Crackdowns

• Banned or restricted: US, UK, France, Spain, Germany, Russia, Ukraine

• Ukraine: Confiscated nearly UAH 2 billion and revoked licenses due to Russian links

• Curacao: 1X Corp declared bankrupt in January 2023 by the Dutch Supreme Court for failing to pay €830,000 in customer winnings

Payment Systems and Financial Network

Primary Global Processor:

• Processing.com (since 2017) – high-volume acquiring, FIFA World Cup support

Regional Services:

• MoonPay – crypto exchange services

• Khalti, IME Pay, Connect IPS (Nepal) – mobile payments

• Nagad, bKash, Rocket (Bangladesh) – digital wallets

Banking Partners:

• NIC Asia Bank (Nepal)

• Sterling Bank, FCMB, Zenith Bank, Access Bank, Providus Bank (Nigeria)

Alleged Connection to Rainbet

Some analysts suggest 1xBet may share ties with Rainbet, another offshore casino.

Possible Links:

• Both operate under Curaçao/Anjouan licenses

• Identical marketing and crypto payment models

• Similar infrastructure and platform design

While ownership overlap has not been proven, the emergence of Rainbet amid regulatory pressure on 1xBet suggests possible brand diversification or restructuring.

Suspected Affiliated Brands

• Melbet

• 22bet

• Betwinner

• 1XBit (crypto-oriented)

Each shows operational similarities pointing to coordinated management.

Risk Assessment

1xBet’s history of fraud, money laundering, child exploitation, and unpaid winnings sets a clear precedent. Any brand with similar patterns—such as Rainbet—should be regarded as a major risk by both users and regulators.

Call for Information

Scam-Or Project is seeking additional information from insiders on:

• Payment processors supporting 1xBet

• Ownership structures and shell networks

• Regulatory communications and compliance failures

• Sponsorship deals and due diligence practices

• Technical vendors and white-label operators

• Specific laundering mechanisms

Confidential submissions may be made via:

• Encrypted communication platforms

• Anonymous document portals

• Legal intermediaries

• Whistleblower protection programs

Your contribution could help expose the full scope of 1xBet’s criminal enterprise and protect global consumers from ongoing exploitation.