1xBet Returns to Liberia: License Reinstated After Heavy Fines and Suspension

The gambling landscape in West Africa has seen a dramatic shift. The National Lottery Authority (NLA) in Liberia has officially restored the license of LiPay Inc., clearing the way for the 1xBet brand to resume operations. The announcement, made on September 24, 2026, concludes a turbulent period of legal battles that nearly saw the operator permanently banned from the country.

The new license is valid for the 2026/2027 period and covers sports betting, online casino, and online lottery operations. The fact that the company was able to resume business at all is the result of intensive negotiations following a June court ruling that had upheld a two-year ban. A settlement agreement signed on September 14, 2026, ultimately paved the way for this comeback.

Numbers and facts

The dispute was a costly affair for LiPay Inc. The 6th Judicial Circuit Court confirmed the regulator's findings and imposed a total of four separate fines. Each penalty amounted to $2,500, totaling $10,000. However, the operational losses during the nine-month suspension, which began in December, likely far exceeded these fines. The NLA emphasized that the new license for 2026 and 2027 is strictly conditional.

"The NLA and LIPAY Inc. reached an amicable settlement to resolve the administrative matter. LIPAY Inc. has committed to fulfilling its obligations under the Agreement and to maintaining full compliance with all applicable licensing, regulatory, and AML/CFT requirements going forward." - Representative of the National Lottery Authority (NLA), Press Release, September 24, 2026

In addition to the fines, the operator is required to pay damages related to license fees and activities conducted during the period of non-compliance. The regulator made it clear that adherence to the NLA Act of 2014, as well as Anti-Money Laundering (AML) and Countering the Financing of Terrorism (CFT) guidelines, is non-negotiable.

Background

The root of the license revocation lay in findings from last December. LiPay Inc. was accused of serving as a channel for unapproved betting activities linked to the foreign 1xBet platform. Investigators discovered that LiPay was processing transactions for the brand without explicit authorization, creating the false impression that an unlicensed foreign entity was legally active in Liberia. The NLA viewed this as misrepresentation and a failure to disclose material information.

This led to an escalation in June 2026, when the sports betting license was revoked following an administrative hearing regarding breaches of Gaming Regulation 001. The NLA's sudden willingness to settle in September suggests a strategic choice to bring international brands under a regulated umbrella rather than leaving them to operate in the unregulated shadow market.

Why it matters for German players

For players in Germany, this case serves as a cautionary tale. 1xBet does not hold a license from the Gemeinsame Glücksspielbehörde der Länder (GGL). The situation in Liberia illustrates the risks associated with playing on platforms that operate through complex corporate structures or legal gray areas. In Germany, the State Treaty on Gambling 2021 (GlüStV 2021) provides a safe environment with strict player protections, including a €1,000 monthly deposit limit and a €1 stake limit per spin on slots.

Providers like 1xBet, which frequently face licensing issues globally, do not offer the same level of legal recourse for German customers. Central systems like LUGAS and the OASIS lockout file only apply to legal, GGL-licensed operators. German residents are strongly advised to stick to the GGL whitelist to ensure their funds are protected and their gaming remains responsible. The instability seen in markets like Liberia highlights why a strong domestic regulatory framework is essential.

What it means for GGL-licensed casinos

For operators with a GGL license, the news from Liberia confirms the value of their compliance-first strategy. While international brands like 1xBet often grab headlines for aggressive expansion and subsequent legal clashes, GGL-licensed casinos focus on long-term legal stability. The Liberian case demonstrates that a lack of transparency in transaction flows can lead directly to license loss. GGL operators must report all activities through LUGAS, which, while burdensome, ensures their license remains secure.

Furthermore, the settlement in Liberia shows that regulators worldwide are becoming more sensitive to AML issues. German casinos, already adhering to some of the strictest AML standards in the world, are well-positioned for this global trend. They avoid the steep fines and lengthy court cases that LiPay Inc. endured. Ultimately, every action taken against opaque business practices strengthens the reputation of highly regulated markets like Germany.