Building for the Long Term: The 1xBet Growth Strategy

For many years, the iGaming industry developed under a relatively simple model: operators sought to enter new markets as quickly as possible, acquire customers, and establish a presence ahead of competitors.

It began to change as more countries developed their own regulatory frameworks. Licensing requirements, player-protection standards, financial reporting obligations, and oversight mechanisms became integral to operating as a major international gaming company. For businesses, this meant additional investment, continuous improvement of internal processes, and adapting products to the requirements of each jurisdiction.

As a result, many market participants still view licensing as a factor that slows development. However, the period after 2020 marked a turning point for the industry. As markets matured worldwide, it became clear that while licensing may complicate market entry, it also creates the conditions for long-term, sustainable operations.

For 1xBet, this reality became the foundation of a strategic approach in which regulatory compliance is seen not as an obstacle to growth but as the basis for sustainable expansion and long-term business development.

When regulation becomes an advantage

Today, 1xBet holds 35 licenses across regulated jurisdictions in Latin America, Africa, and Europe. Each of them comes with its own compliance requirements, reporting standards, and player-protection obligations.

Today, 1xBet focuses on developing its presence across regulated jurisdictions in Latin America, Africa, and Europe through market-specific licensing. For 1xBet, the value of a licence lies in the ability to build a stable, long-term operation under its specific conditions, providing a clearer basis for informed confidence among partners and industry stakeholders. Notable examples include its SPA licensing process in Brazil, valid until 2030; Ireland's Remote Bookmaker's Licence; and new regulatory approvals in Guatemala and Serbia during 2025-2026. From a business perspective, regulated environments offer greater predictability, reduce operational risk, and support the transition toward more predictable operating conditions.

From a business perspective, the value of such regulatory approvals extends far beyond legal formalities. Regulated markets offer greater predictability, reduce operational risk, and support the transition toward more predictable operating environments for building long-term relationships with partners.

Player protection as part of a growth strategy

While player protection was previously often viewed as a separate function within compliance departments, it is now becoming part of a company's overall operating model. It involves not only complying with regulatory requirements but also building a technologically advanced model that enables risk identification, analysis of user behaviour, and the implementation of early intervention measures.

One example of this approach is the support of the International Player Safety Index. This research initiative, produced with SBC Media and supported by 1xBet, examines approaches to regulation and player protection in different markets; it is intended to inform industry discussion and is not a regulatory assessment or certification of 1xBet. Covering Western Europe, Latin America, and Africa, the project examines player-protection practices across a range of regulated markets. According to the Latin American report, 69% of operators now use real-time player activity monitoring systems, while 34% employ AI-powered tools to identify potential gambling harm. By comparison, the deployment of AI tools for player tracking stands at 30% in Western Europe. These findings suggest that player protection is gradually becoming a structured operational function rather than merely a legal formality.

These findings suggest that player protection is gradually becoming a strategic business function rather than merely a regulatory requirement.Advancing responsible gaming initiatives requires not only technology but also specialised expertise. In April 2026, 1xBet appointed Chris Bird and Quirino Mancini as strategic advisors on compliance and player-protection matters. Both are highly respected professionals in the international sports business, and their experience is helping the company integrate global best practices into its operational framework.

Partnerships as long-term investments

A company's reputation is reflected in the quality and longevity of its sponsorship agreements. International sports organisations and professional clubs consider not only a brand's marketing capabilities but also its ability to operate successfully across multiple jurisdictions, its standing with regulators, and the level of trust among audiences.

1xBet has built long-term partnerships with some of the most prominent organisations in global sport. Its collaboration with FC Barcelona began in 2019 and was recently extended until 2029, making it one of the longest in the company's history. A similar pattern can be seen in its partnerships with Paris Saint-Germain, which has been extended until 2028, and the International Basketball Federation (FIBA), where the company's status as Exclusive Betting Partner runs through 2027 and includes commitments to promote responsible gaming principles.

This approach has also been applied to the esports sector. Partnerships with The MongolZ, MIBR, and 9z Team are structured as long-term investments in organisational development and the popularisation of gaming disciplines.

Looking to the future

Speaking at SBC Summit Rio 2026, one of the industry's largest gatherings, 1xBet Strategic Advisor Simon Westbury outlined the company's perspective during the panel discussion Building Unicorns: Behind the Scenes of Running and Scaling Betting Giants.

According to Westbury, the era when operators could achieve sustainable growth primarily through high-profile sponsorship deals has come to an end. Long-term success today depends on the combination of a strong technology product, a well-developed digital ecosystem, and a stable operational platform.

Westbury adds: “With the evolution of the gaming industry, the halcyon days of success being easily obtainable have come to an end. The one size fits all approach to international success has ceased to be relevant, the present and future success of the igaming industry are based on localisation and personalisation. Brand sponsorships where permitted can help build trust in your brand but without a localised and personalised product then success is far from guaranteed. This is why at 1xBet we have local teams and localised personalised product in all the jurisdictions we operate.”

What does it mean to build for the long term?

Building for the long term means consciously choosing the more challenging path today to ensure stability tomorrow. In the modern betting industry, sustainable growth is increasingly defined not by the speed of expansion but by the ability to maintain resilience after entering a market – meeting regulatory requirements, preserving partners' trust, and earning customers' confidence.

The experience of 1xBet demonstrates that strong regulatory frameworks can be a powerful driver of sustainable growth, helping companies strengthen their position even in rapidly evolving markets