An email from Google has sparked new allegations in an ongoing dispute involving Sportradar, the sports-data firm that saw its stock tumble after being accused in April of benefitting from illegal gambling operations.
Active8Insights, a specialized publication focused on activist short selling, has published findings titled "Betting on a Takedown". The report claims that an obscure SEO contractor has been submitting numerous copyright complaints, aimed at obscuring information about global betting operator 1xBet and its connection to Sportradar.
An Active8Insights spokesperson stated, "We randomly got pulled into this situation. On 5 August, we received an email from Google suggesting we infringed on copyright, and our link would be removed from search results."
Through Google’s notice system and the Lumen Database, which archives takedown requests, Active8Insights claims to have uncovered a broader pattern, although both 1xBet and Sportradar deny any ties to these filings.
1xBet has consistently faced scrutiny regarding its operations within illegal or grey markets. Nevertheless, the company has initiated a rebranding effort to demonstrate its “increasingly licensed” operations, as stated by strategic adviser Simon Westbury in April. A key part of this strategy includes enhancing its portfolio with local licenses in regulated markets globally; for instance, 1xBet announced in February that it acquired a license to operate in Brazil's regulated betting market.
Westbury rejected any implications of 1xBet being linked to a takedown initiative, asserting, “Active8Insights acknowledges the limitations of its findings and does not claim that 1xBet was behind the activities mentioned. 1xBet confirms it had no part in or awareness of that notice and has no further comment.”
Sportradar also distanced itself from the allegations, with a spokesperson stating, “We did not file or initiate the notice in question and have never sought to suppress such press coverage from search results. Sportradar has no connection with anyone filing copyright notices under the name Alex Gramm.”
The spokesperson added that, “Sportradar takes its compliance obligations seriously and will pursue every legal avenue to safeguard its reputation. Following reports from short sellers, our Audit Committee commissioned an independent third-party review, which verified our rigorous compliance processes to ensure our products are utilized by clients in accordance with the law.”
Active8Insights identified notices dating back to 1 November 2013 with earlier submissions linked to a blog by someone named Alex Gramm, who is not tied to 1xBet. However, a pattern relating to 1xBet began appearing from October 2025. An Active8Insights spokesperson highlighted that a complaint from October 2025 named "Alex Gramm on behalf of 1xBet," though it is crucial to note that this representation does not confirm that 1xBet authorized any such actions.
Active8Insights theorizes that 1xBet is seeking to boost its public image, noting that the operator seems to be working towards a more respectable standing via licensing and sponsorship strategies. They clarified in their article, "We have no evidence that 1xBet or Sportradar instigated this notice, nor do we allege it. Our documentation focuses on the effects of the filings."
Their investigation traces the name Alex Gramm across at least 12 takedown notices impacting 84 URLs from about 68 distinct domains. Ten of those notices reportedly served 1xBet’s interests by targeting its branding and related content. A notice from 27 April sought the removal of 18 URLs from various domains, including those of numerous gambling and sports publications such as Gaming Intelligence and The Hindu.
Interestingly, Active8Insights notes that these removals targeted articles discussing short-seller reports on Sportradar from Callisto Research and Muddy Waters, which raised critical questions about Sportradar’s affiliations with potentially illicit operators.
Callisto's report claimed that a significant portion of Sportradar's revenue might be linked to unlicensed platforms, a suggestion echoed by Muddy Waters. Sportradar's shares dropped significantly that day as the scrutiny intensified. The company firmly rejected these allegations, stating that all clients are required to have the necessary licenses, including those from offshore jurisdictions, provided the licenses are compliant with local laws.
The complexities surrounding this matter have now transcended the stock market, entering into legal realm as well. On 18 May, an investor filed a lawsuit, Smale vs Sportradar Group AG, in the Southern District of New York, alleging violations of securities laws from 7 November 2024 to 21 April 2026, and the law firm Robbins Geller has since sought investors to join the class action, alleging violations of the Securities Exchange Act by Sportradar and certain executives.
These claims remain allegations until proven in court, just like those made by Callisto and Muddy Waters, along with Active8Insights’ interpretation of the takedown trail. Active8Insights’ investigation does not definitively show that Sportradar orchestrated attempts to silence criticism or that 1xBet endorsed the complaints filed by Alex Gramm, yet it reveals a paper trail hinting at efforts to diminish the visibility of reports concerning both entities.
