Google Takedown Scandal: 1xBet and Sportradar Under Investigation

In the digital landscape of online gambling, a fierce battle for control over information is unfolding. A recent investigation by Active8Insights, a specialist in analyzing activist short selling, has brought to light a series of highly suspicious copyright complaints filed with Google. These DMCA (Digital Millennium Copyright Act) notices appear to be a coordinated effort to erase critical reports about global operator 1xBet and its business relationship with sports data giant Sportradar from search results. The allegations are serious, as the takedown requests targeted not just marketing materials, but specific journalistic content and critical market analysis.

The situation began when Active8Insights received an email from Google on August 5, stating that a link had been removed from the search index due to alleged copyright infringement. A deeper look into the Lumen Database, which archives such requests, revealed a much wider pattern. The trail led to a filer named Alex Gramm, who claimed to be acting on behalf of 1xBet. However, both 1xBet and Sportradar have vehemently denied any involvement. The case illustrates how copyright laws can be weaponized to hide inconvenient information online.

Numbers and facts

The scale of the takedown operation is significant. According to Active8Insights, the name Alex Gramm appears on at least 12 notices covering 84 URLs across roughly 68 different domains. A particularly striking notice from April 27 sought the removal of 18 URLs across 14 domains, including reputable industry publications like Gaming Intelligence as well as mainstream media like Estadão and The Hindu. Notably, these filings appeared shortly after short-seller reports from Callisto Research and Muddy Waters on April 22, which accused Sportradar of profiting heavily from illegal gambling markets.

Sportradar staunchly rejected these allegations, but the damage to its market value was immediate. The company's shares plunged by about a fifth following the release of the reports. Callisto Research estimates that roughly one-third of Sportradar's revenue could be linked to platforms operating in grey or black markets. While Sportradar emphasizes that its contracts require clients to hold necessary licenses, the core question remains: do offshore licenses from jurisdictions like Curaçao or Anjouan have any legal weight in the markets where the gambling actually occurs?

Background

1xBet is currently undergoing a complex transformation. Simon Westbury, a strategic advisor for 1xBet, stated in April that the company is committed to increasingly operating in licensed markets. A key milestone in this strategy was the acquisition of a license for the Brazilian market in February. Nevertheless, the company's image remains controversial due to its historical associations with unregulated markets. Westbury clearly distanced the company from the Google takedown notices:

"1xBet can confirm that it had no involvement in or knowledge of that notice. We have no further comment." - Simon Westbury, Strategic Adviser for 1xBet

Sportradar also maintains that it has never sought the removal of press coverage from search results. However, the controversy has already entered the courtroom. On May 18, the lawsuit Smale vs Sportradar Group AG was filed in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York. The case involves alleged violations of securities laws. Plaintiffs accuse the management of misleading investors regarding compliance frameworks and revenue sources. These allegations cover the period from November 7, 2024, to April 21, 2026.

Why it matters for German players

For players in Germany, this case underscores the vital importance of the Gemeinsame Glücksspielbehörde der Länder (GGL). The German State Treaty on Gambling 2021 (GlüStV 2021) was created specifically to ensure clarity and safety. Operators like 1xBet, which do not hold a GGL license, are not permitted to offer their services legally in Germany. Playing with unlicensed providers means entering a legal grey area and forfeiting the strict player protections guaranteed by the GGL whitelist. In Germany, measures such as the cross-provider deposit limit of 1,000 euros per month and the 1-euro stake limit per spin on online slots are legally mandated. The LUGAS system ensures these limits are monitored to prevent gambling addiction. Players at offshore sites, often relying on Curaçao licenses, have little legal recourse and are excluded from these protective mechanisms.

What it means for GGL-licensed casinos

Legal German online casinos benefit indirectly from such scandals, as trust in unregulated markets continues to erode. The GGL strictly monitors which companies are active in the German market. Providers on the official whitelist must prove they operate cleanly and do not handle funds from dubious sources. The current allegations against Sportradar and 1xBet show that the line between legal and illegal markets remains blurred globally. For licensed operators in Germany, this translates into a competitive advantage through integrity. They do not need to hide behind anonymous SEO contractors or suspicious DMCA filings, as their business is based on transparency and state oversight. Compliance with strict German advertising guidelines and IT security standards protects not only the player but also the integrity of the entire industry from such attempts at manipulation.