An unusual email from Google has sparked new allegations in an ongoing conflict involving Sportradar, a sports-data company whose stock values dipped after accusations of its profits being tied to illegal gambling emerged from short sellers in April.
The claim originated from Active8Insights, a publication and data provider focused on activist short selling. According to its investigation titled "Betting on a Takedown," Active8Insights discovered that a little-known web and SEO contractor may have been filing numerous copyright complaints—DMCA notices—aimed at obscuring online references to the gambling operator 1xBet and its ties to Sportradar.
Despite both companies denying involvement with these filings when speaking to iGB, the question of who is orchestrating these copyright removals remains unanswered. Active8Insights navigated through Google’s notification system and the Lumen Database, which archives takedown requests, revealing a broader trend.
An Active8Insights spokesman remarked, "We randomly got pulled into this situation. On 5 August, we received an email from Google stating that we apparently infringed on copyright, resulting in the removal of our link from search results."
1xBet has faced criticism in various jurisdictions over alleged operations in illegal or ambiguous market spaces. In response, the company has embarked on a strategic repositioning to emphasize its commitment to regulatory compliance. Simon Westbury, a strategic advisor for 1xBet, told iGB that the company is focusing on expanding its portfolio of local licenses in regulated markets, recently acquiring a license for Brazil’s gambling market in February.
Westbury refuted any connection between 1xBet and the takedown efforts, stating, "Active8Insights acknowledges the limitations of what it can substantiate and does not imply that 1xBet was responsible for these activities. 1xBet confirms it had no knowledge of or participation in that notice. We have no more comments."
Similarly, Sportradar has denied any association with the takedown notices. A spokesperson stated, "We did not file or commission that notice and have not sought removal of any press coverage from search results. Sportradar has no connection to anyone filing copyright notices under the name Alex Gramm."
Sportradar also emphasized its adherence to compliance standards and its intention to protect its reputation legally. After being targeted by short seller claims, the company’s Audit Committee commissioned an independent review that confirmed its strict compliance framework and dismissed the allegations as misleading. "The licensing of our customers is determined by regulatory bodies in the jurisdictions where they operate, not by Sportradar," the spokesperson stated.
Tracing the copyright filings, Active8Insights identified a notice from as early as 1 November 2013 related to a football analysis blog tied to someone named Alex Gramm, who doesn't seem to be associated with 1xBet. However, a pattern relevant to 1xBet emerged in October 2025, when a notice identified the sender as "Alex Gramm on behalf of 1xBet," a claim 1xBet disputes.
Nevertheless, it's important to note that the documentation serves as a declaration of representation rather than concrete evidence of authorization by 1xBet.
Active8Insights clarified that its investigation does not indicate that either 1xBet or Sportradar authorized these copyright removals. The investigation documents the implications of the filings, stating, "We have no evidence that 1xBet or Sportradar were involved in this notice or orchestrated it. What we can track is the effect of the filings."
Takedown notices, despite being essential for copyright enforcement, can be misused, leading many publications to frequently contest unjust claims.
Active8Insights' reconstruction of the takedown scenario indicated that Alex Gramm was mentioned in at least 12 takedown requests covering 84 URLs from around 68 domains, with 10 of these targeting interests connected to 1xBet, including its branding and related journalism.
The scope of the requests extended to notable gambling and sports publications, including Gaming Intelligence, Estadão, The Hindu, and others which were approached for removing content related to 1xBet.
Interestingly, the material aimed for removal included coverage of short-seller reports concerning Sportradar by Callisto Research and Muddy Waters, which have raised concerns about Sportradar’s dealings with various gambling operators.
The allegations against Sportradar feature prominently in a broader dialogue about its relationship with operators, with reports suggesting that a significant portion of its revenue could be linked to illicit channels. In response, Sportradar firmly denied these claims, stressing its compliance measures to ensure clients possess the necessary licenses.
The tension has escalated beyond the financial markets into the realm of litigation. On 18 May, an investor filed a lawsuit in the US District Court for the Southern District of New York against Sportradar, alleging violations of securities laws related to a class period spanning 7 November 2024 to 21 April 2026.
Robbins Geller law firm is soliciting investors for participation in a class action, claiming violations of the Securities Exchange Act by Sportradar and its executives. While these are serious allegations, none have been judicially verified yet.
In summary, Active8Insights’ findings highlight an intricate chain of copyright removals aimed at diminishing the visibility of scrutiny directed at both 1xBet and Sportradar, although it stops short of directly implicating either party in orchestrating this campaign.
