A Dutch court declared 1xBet bankrupt in 2023, but the bookmaker continued expanding across esports. Here’s what the ruling meant and what happened next.
Update: This article was originally published in 2023. It was updated on 2026 to include 1xBet's activities afterward within the esports scene.
Russian bookmaker 1xBet, sponsor of several esports organizations, was officially declared bankrupt by the Dutch Supreme Court. The declaration confirmed an earlier ruling in June 2022 that saw the company declared bankrupt by the Dutch Caribbean Island of Curaçao.
The declaration of bankruptcy followed allegations from bettors regarding unpaid winnings, after which the company appealed to the Supreme Court in The Hague. The betting company’s bankruptcy, first reported by investigative sports journalism site Josimar on Jan. 20, involved a company that at the time also sponsored football teams Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain (PSG).
In the esports world, 1xBet sponsored multiple teams, such as Tundra Esports, in a deal announced in November 2022. OG Esports announced a deal in May 2022, and their TI11 Bootcamp Blog was directly sponsored by the company. Team Spirit also entered a similar agreement in May. The company also had deals with MiBR and WePlay, and according to Asia Gaming Brief, many ESL-associated tournaments featured 1xBet sponsorship integrations.
What did 1xBet do?
The company has also faced consumer complaints in multiple jurisdictions, primarily related to withdrawals and account verification processes. Public review platforms include negative feedback from users who reported delays or disputes over payouts.
1xBet has previously stated that such cases are typically linked to compliance checks, identity verification requirements, or regional licensing restrictions, which can affect withdrawal processing times.
On the legal side, the company lost its license to operate in Russia in 2021. 1xBet’s parent company, 1xCorp, has also been named in a case brought by the Foundation for Representation of Victims of Online Gaming (SBGOK), which represents bettors claiming roughly $887,750 in disputed winnings.
The matter is part of a series of regulatory and legal challenges the company has faced across different jurisdictions.
What now for the esports teams 1xBet sponsored?
What this means for the teams it sponsors is unclear. Tournament organizers ESL and WePlay will likely be untouched, as their newer sources of investment mean a single betting sponsor won’t likely affect their bottom line. Esports teams such as OG, Tundra, Team Spirit, and MiBR, however, may feel the pinch if a major sponsor goes under. It’s uncertain to what degree 1xBet sponsored these teams, but enough money changed hands for them to be a jersey sponsor for some.
At the time of writing, 1xBet remains on promotional materials for OG, Team Spirit, and Tundra, including their current Twitter banners. Several teams’ current season jerseys still feature the sponsor.
1xBet in 2026
Despite the ruling, 1xBet continued its international operations. 1xBet became one of the most prominent sponsors among other esports betting sites. The same argument can even be made across all brands.
1xBet's reach within the esports world has only grown since the ruling. They sponsor many prominent orgs and teams, including Aurora Gaming, 9z Team, and The MongolZ. Online personality Eva Elfie and esports host BanKs are brand ambassadors for the platform.
It is also the official betting sponsor for various S-tier Counter-Strike 2 tournaments, like IEM Cologne 2025 and the Austin Major. 1xBet's growing footprint in the CS2 scene is largely thanks to an active deal with the ESL FACEIT Group and PGL. These deals enable their brand banners, lower-thirds, and even dedicated spots on the broadcast.
Their deal with PGL also stretches to Dota 2, marking the second Valve title that 1xBet is gaining more and more influence on.
League of Legends and VALORANT developer-publisher Riot Games has also made an announcement allowing betting sites and online casinos to sponsor their teams. 1xBet became the first of its kind as a betting sponsor to a Riot-owned title squad, thanks to MIBR.
According to Riot, all greenlit betting brands have to go through a rigorous process before being approved. They still aren't allowing orgs and teams to show the logos of their betting sponsors on stage jerseys, though.
Looking back at this supposed bankruptcy ruling in 2023, it seemed to have little to no significance when it comes to 1xBet's operations. In fact, the bookmaker even initially denied the reports and their gravity. They would even go on to be nominated for several awards for their operations in the years afterward.
However, the efforts were not for naught, as users have grown increasingly wary on the platform. As they should, especially when conducting an activity that involves real money.
