Globally, the operator runs a full-stack sportsbook–casino–esports product under offshore licensing, and it has invested heavily in top-flight football visibility. FC Barcelona renewed its partnership with the brand for five more seasons, running through June 2029.
Paris Saint-Germain named the company a regional partner in Africa and Asia for three seasons starting July 2022.
Across Africa, the brand appears among CAF’s commercial partners and has promoted sponsorships of major tournaments such as AFCON and CHAN.
India’s regulatory reality, in plain English
“Betting and gambling” is a State subject in India; most state laws prohibit games of chance, while “skill” carve-outs are debated and vary by state. The Centre has repeatedly warned TV, digital media and OTT platforms against promoting online betting, beginning with advisories in June 2022 and reiterated in August 2023.
Enforcement has sharpened. In a Lok Sabha reply dated July 23, 2025, the government stated it had issued 1,524 blocking directions since 2022 covering online betting/gambling/gaming websites and apps, and reaffirmed that betting/gambling is a State subject . Media regulators also republished cautionary notes in 2024 via BroadcastSeva.
Broader scrutiny has continued into 2025, with high-profile investigations around online betting promotions reported by international media (e.g., Reuters, Jul 19, 2025).
What this means for first-time punters
If you’re glancing at 1xBet because you saw a Barcelona banner, slow down. Age gates apply, KYC checks exist, and withdrawals often involve additional verification—common across licensed operators. Company rules restrict betting to adults and outline responsible-gaming measures such as self-exclusion and limits .
Payments, verification, friction
Expect extra document checks, slower withdrawals than deposits, and temporary disruptions if access is curtailed by regulators. It’s inconvenient, but it can also stop mistakes before they snowball.
Marketing playbook vs Indian guardrails
Global football deals travel fast on social, and Indian eyeballs notice. But the government has told broadcasters, publishers and creators to steer clear of promoting offshore betting platforms, including surrogate ads and influencer plugs .For brands, that means compliance first, creative later.
On the club side, 1xBet features in long-running football tie-ups, yet shirt visibility doesn’t translate to domestic permission. Indian marketers need to map each asset against ad advisories and platform rules—or risk takedowns.
Risk, reputation, and the long read
Over the years, UK and European media have scrutinised parts of the brand’s footprint and the wider betting-content ecosystem. The details differ by market, but the lesson for Indian readers is simple: do due diligence, and be ready for access changes as policy evolves.
A note I keep from a Ranji season still sits above the monitor: “Temperament beats talent.” Same for betting behaviour. Set limits, treat losses as sunk, and step away early if a hot streak cools.
Where the industry heads next
Expect continued blocking orders and stricter ad hygiene while Delhi and the States hash out tech-age rules for money games and betting. Offshore operators will keep testing lanes; regulators will keep closing them.
The takeaway
India is tightening access and promotion rules around offshore betting, even as 1xBet maintains high-profile global sponsorships. Treat visibility as a cue to research, not a green light to play. If you still engage, do it as an informed adult, set hard limits, and be ready for payment or access friction as enforcement evolves.
