1xBet Expands Regulated Market Footprint With Brazil Licence

1xBet Expands Regulated Market Licences – Brazil Approval Highlights Strategic Focus

Key Takeaways

• 1xBet acquired a licence to operate in Brazil’s regulated market, which launched in January 2025.
• The company states that the majority of its licences were secured after 2020.
• 1xBet says it now holds licences in more than 34 regulated markets worldwide.
• Around 25 of its licences are in African jurisdictions, including Nigeria, Ghana, Kenya, Senegal and Cameroon.
• The operator identifies Western Europe and selected regulated markets as current expansion priorities.

Brazil Licence Marks Latest Step in Regulated Market Expansion

In February, global sportsbook and casino operator 1xBet announced that it had obtained a licence to operate in Brazil’s regulated betting market. Brazil’s framework launched in January 2025 and has quickly become one of the most sought after regulatory approvals in the sector.

For 1xBet, the Brazil licence adds to a growing portfolio of regulated jurisdictions. The company, founded in 2007 and headquartered in Cyprus, states that it is licensed in more than 34 regulated markets worldwide. Brazil and Serbia are the latest additions to that list.

The focus on Brazil reflects the operator’s stated strategy of expanding in markets where formal regulatory systems are in place. According to 1xBet strategic advisor Simon Westbury, the company has placed increasing emphasis on structured regulatory participation, particularly in recent years.

Licence Growth Accelerated After 2020

Westbury states that while 1xBet has pursued licences for many years, the pace of approvals increased materially after 2020. He notes that the majority of the company’s current licences were secured post 2020.

According to Westbury, this development mirrors broader changes in the online gaming sector, as more countries introduced formal regulatory frameworks. As new jurisdictions opened regulated markets, operators seeking legal access were required to obtain local approvals.

He describes the process as progressive rather than sudden, arguing that 1xBet’s regulatory engagement has developed alongside the industry’s shift toward locally regulated models. At the same time, he acknowledges that internally there has been a strengthened emphasis on expanding the company’s regulated footprint to support long term sustainability.

Operating within recognised regulatory frameworks provides defined compliance obligations. Westbury says this creates operational certainty and allows the company to state clearly where it is licensed and operating legally. He adds that regulated status also supports engagement with regulators and stakeholders.

Geographic Footprint: Africa, Europe and Latin America

1xBet’s first licence was issued by the Curaçao Gaming Authority in 2007. Since then, the company has expanded into multiple regions.

Africa represents the largest component of its licensed portfolio. Westbury states that the operator holds approximately 25 licences across African jurisdictions, including Nigeria, Ghana, Kenya, Senegal and Cameroon.

In Europe, 1xBet holds licences in Spain and Ireland. In Latin America, Brazil and Peru are among its licensed markets. The company has also obtained approvals in parts of Eurasia, including Kyrgyzstan.

Westbury highlights Spain and Ireland as particularly significant due to what he describes as stringent regulatory standards and complex licensing processes. He also indicates that additional major licences have been secured but cannot yet be publicly disclosed.

For users comparing platforms, local licensing determines whether an operator can legally offer services in a specific jurisdiction. It also defines the regulatory framework governing compliance, consumer protection and operational requirements.

Comparison With Broader Industry Shift

The increased focus on regulated revenue is not limited to 1xBet. Other major operators have recently announced strategic changes aimed at concentrating on markets with formal regulation.

Bet365, for example, exited the Chinese market and described the move as part of a shift toward majority regulated revenues. In company accounts filed in December 2025, CEO Denise Coates stated that certain markets no longer fell within the category of long term sustainable revenue. She noted that point of consumption regulated markets offer a more robust foundation for sustainable operations.

Similarly, Yolo Group announced a strategic pivot toward regulated markets, describing its business as being at a crossroads and indicating a move away from grey markets.

Against this backdrop, 1xBet’s recent licence announcements align with a wider industry pattern in which operators prioritise jurisdictions with formal oversight and defined compliance structures.

Selective Expansion Rather Than Broad Market Entry

Despite its growing licence count, 1xBet states that it does not pursue approvals indiscriminately. Westbury says the company studies jurisdictions before entry to ensure commercial viability and regulatory stability.

With a substantial presence already established in Africa, the operator identifies Western Europe as a key area for further growth, alongside other markets where the regulatory environment permits viable business operations.

Westbury emphasises that obtaining a licence is not an end in itself. Instead, the company evaluates whether a jurisdiction offers a sustainable operating environment under its regulatory framework.

For international users of crypto betting and online sportsbook platforms, such licensing strategies can influence platform availability, payment options and local compliance requirements, depending on the country in which services are offered.

Our Assessment

Based on the company’s statements, 1xBet has accelerated its acquisition of licences since 2020 and now reports operations in more than 34 regulated markets. The recent approval in Brazil adds one of the newest regulated betting markets to its portfolio. The operator positions this expansion as part of a broader strategy focused on regulated jurisdictions, reflecting a wider industry movement toward formal licensing structures and defined compliance frameworks.