1xBet Named Sports Betting Operator of the Year at 2026 International Gaming Awards

 _{1xBet was recognised at the 2026 IGA ceremony in Barcelona. (Image: 1xBet / IGA)}

Online sportsbook 1xBet has been named Sports Betting Operator of the Year at the 2026 International Gaming Awards (IGA), held Friday at the InterContinental Hotel in Barcelona.

Strategic Advisor Simon Westbury accepted the award on behalf of 1xBet, praising the team’s efforts to kick off the year with an industry-leading accolade.

_{Strategic Advisor Simon Westbury accepted the award on behalf of 1xBet}

“It is a privilege to commence 2026 and to accept this recognition on behalf of 1xBet,” Westbury said. 

“This achievement reflects the dedication of our global teams and our commitment to building a responsible, innovative and player-focused organisation.” 

Regulated Growth and Safer Gambling

The IGA judging panel highlighted 1xBet’s work in three key areas: responsible gambling, regulatory expansion, and innovation.

1xBet launched a new global initiative unifying research, education, community support, and technological tools to promote safer gambling. The program, designed to strengthen player protection across markets, reflects growing pressure on operators to embed harm-reduction measures as standard practice.

At the same time, 1xBet has expanded its reach to more than 35 regulated markets, tailoring compliance strategies to local jurisdictions, a key factor behind the award recognition. Its focus on building robust frameworks in newly licensed regions signals an effort to align growth with long-term sustainability.

Tech Investments Backed by Behavioural Insights

1xBet has also invested heavily in technology to support transparency, personalisation, and long-term player engagement. Behavioural tools, such as personalised risk alerts, self-assessment tools, and deposit controls, have become integral to the company’s platform updates over the past year.

These features aren’t limited to sports betting. As part of its broader platform, which includes online casinos, 1xBet has implemented safer gambling tools across product verticals to ensure consistent player protection.

This commitment to innovation was underscored by the IGA judges as a differentiator in a crowded market.