1xBet is probably the most advertised gambling brand on the Albanian internet. Founded in Russia in 2007 and now based in Cyprus, it runs sports betting, casino, live casino and fast games on one site.
The sportsbook
Sport is its strongest suit: thousands of events daily, from football and basketball to niche sports, with many markets per match and in-play betting. For heavy sports bettors, the breadth is hard to match.
Payments
Over 40 cryptocurrencies plus cards and e-wallets; minimum deposit around €1; crypto withdrawals usually within a day.
The casino bonus
Four deposits at 100%, 50%, 25% and 25%, plus 150 spins, each stage bet 35x within 7 days. The euro maximum depends on the country.
The regulatory record
- UK licence lost in 2019.
- Banned in several countries, including France, Spain and Russia.
- Fined €400,000 by the Netherlands in 2019 for unlicensed activity.
- Ukrainian licences cancelled in 2023.
- An affiliated company, 1xCorp N.V., was declared bankrupt in Curaçao; 1xBet denies owning it.
In Albania
1xBet has no Albanian licence. AMLF has sought blocking of illegal sites, and in April 2026 reported gambling ads on Facebook and Instagram to AKEP and the police; in practice many sites remain reachable.
For the player
If a withdrawal goes wrong there is no Albanian authority to turn to. The record does not mean 1xBet will not pay, but the risk is higher than with an operator with a clean history.
Separate budgets in a single account
Sport, casino and fast games share one balance at 1xBet, which makes it easy for money set aside for a weekend match to end up in a slot. Decide separate weekly amounts for betting and casino play and write them down. If the account’s limit tools allow only one overall figure, set it to the combined total and track the split yourself. A losing evening at the tables should not quietly use up the betting budget, or the other way round.
Records worth keeping here
Given the regulatory record, documentation matters more than usual. Save confirmation emails for every deposit and withdrawal, screenshots of the balance before each request, and transaction hashes for crypto transfers. Download or photograph the bonus terms on the day a bonus is accepted, since terms can change later. If a payout is disputed, these files are the only evidence available.
Albania’s betting tender
Under Decision 194 of March 2026, at most ten betting licences will be granted, each valid for a decade; the fee starts at ALL 400 million, and licensees pay 15% of GGR in tax. The rules target Albanian companies with experience in EU or OECD markets and turnover above ALL 2 billion. The tender had not opened as of October 2026, and 1xBet holds no Albanian licence. Its casino side would fall outside any such licence regardless, since online casinos remain banned.
Wrap-up
The widest sportsbook and the most flexible payments; the regulatory record is the main reason for caution. Keep balances small and withdraw regularly.
18+ · Foreign licence, not Albanian · Only play with money you can afford to lose.
Arben – Albanian Casino Expert
Arben knows the Albanian online gaming sector inside and out. From Tirana to the coast, he tests all licensed casinos, explains bonuses in simple terms, and sheds light on obscure clauses often overlooked by others.
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