The Bengaluru City East’s Cyber Police has registered an FIR against the betting website 1xbet. The Hindu has reviewed a duplicate of the FIR, which has been filed by Star India Pvt. Ltd., which broadcasts the ICC Champions Trophy tournament. Star has alleged that 1xBet is livestreaming the tournament in spite of not having any license or settlement to take action.
1xBet is a Curaçaoan betting platform with a presence the world over. The website has been banned or blocked in a number of nations, and the Ministry of Home Affairs mentioned in a bulletin in January that an app for 1xBet was blocked in India. However, the agency has continued sponsoring occasions right here, reminiscent of a derby in Mysore in 2023 and an esports tournament final 12 months. Its India web site additionally stays accessible, with an lively social media presence.
The FIR seeks arrests of people in India concerned within the operation of the platform. It has been filed beneath Sections 43, 66 and 66D of the Information Technology Act, 2000, and Section 318(4) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023, which changed the Indian Penal Code.
“Any telecast, … transmission … or streaming … without express permission of the company violates the copyright and broadcast reproduction rights of Star,” the corporate mentioned in its criticism.
1xBet didn’t instantly reply to an e mail in search of remark by The Hindu.
Sports betting stays illegal or closely regulated in most States in India. Fantasy sports activities apps like Dream11 and MPL — which additionally reward customers placing up actual cash if their predictions of particular person gamers’ efficiency transpire — have efficiently fought off bans in lots of elements of the nation by distinguishing themselves from betting platforms.
1xBet, which advertises on conventional in addition to on-line media extensively, has not made any such claims, and it’s unclear who runs the platform’s India operations.
Published – March 04, 2025 11:46 am IST
