1xBet returns to Liberia after LIPAY Inc. secures a new gaming license

1xBet is set to return to the Liberian market through LIPAY Inc. after the National Lottery Authority restored the company’s licensing status following a settlement of the regulatory matter.

According to a September 25 report reproducing an NLA statement, LIPAY Inc. was issued a one-year license on September 22, 2026 for the 2026/2027 licensing period. The authorization covers sports betting, online casino and online lottery activities in Liberia. The statement also identifies LIPAY Inc. as the representative of the 1xBet brand in the country.

The development follows a period of regulatory restrictions that began in December 2025. The new licensing position therefore marks a significant change in the status of LIPAY Inc. while leaving the company subject to continuing regulatory obligations under Liberian law.

The announcement should also be understood precisely. The license was issued to LIPAY Inc. rather than directly to 1xBet as a separate Liberian legal entity. The NLA's earlier ruling explicitly treated 1 X BET as a brand and dismissed the complaint against its management without prejudice because of misjoinder and the failure to sue a legal entity.

Settlement brings previous restrictions to an end

The restoration followed an agreement dated September 14, 2026 between LIPAY Inc. and the NLA. The reported terms require the company to comply with applicable licensing requirements, regulatory conditions, anti-money laundering and counter-terrorist financing obligations as well as responsible gaming requirements.

The arrangement also provides for the removal of restrictions that had previously been imposed on LIPAY Inc., subject to compliance with the agreed conditions. The NLA statement described the administrative matter as concluded and confirmed the company's licensing status for the new period.

The settlement is particularly important because the earlier regulatory action had imposed substantial restrictions on LIPAY Inc. The June 2026 NLA ruling ordered immediate revocation of its sports betting license, imposed administrative fines totaling US$10,000 and prohibited the company from applying for or obtaining another gaming license in Liberia for two years.

The later settlement therefore represents a regulatory resolution rather than a simple renewal of an uninterrupted license.

Regulatory action began in December 2025

The dispute dates back to December 16, 2025 when the NLA suspended LIPAY Inc.'s operational license. In its final ruling, the Authority said the suspension followed concerns over the use of the 1XBET brand in Liberia and the relationship between LIPAY Inc. and DIDIANE LTD.

The ruling stated that LIPAY Inc. had entered into a trademark license agreement with DIDIANE LTD, described in the document as a company registered in Cyprus, allowing LIPAY to use the 1XBET trademarks in Liberia. The agreement was dated May 13, 2025.

The NLA's investigation also examined how the 1XBET name was presented to the public and how the Authority understood the associated operational and financial arrangements. These matters formed the basis of the subsequent administrative proceedings.

The final ruling recorded that LIPAY Inc. denied the allegations and argued that the agreement was a branding arrangement rather than a transfer of its gaming license. The company also maintained that 1XBET was a brand and not a legal entity capable of holding the Liberian license.

NLA found multiple regulatory breaches

After considering the evidence presented during the hearing, the NLA hearing officer found LIPAY Inc. liable for violations of Sections 6.4, 6.9, 14.1(b) and 14.1(d) of Gaming Regulation 001.

The findings concerned disclosure requirements, the non-transferability of a sports betting license, operation by an unlicensed foreign entity and breaches of license conditions. The ruling further referred to provisions of Liberia's Intellectual Property Act and General Business Law relating to the use of names and identifiers in a manner that could mislead the public.

These findings were regulatory conclusions contained in the NLA's administrative ruling. They should not be presented as a criminal conviction against LIPAY Inc. or as a finding of liability against 1xBet itself.

The ruling imposed four separate administrative penalties of US$2,500 each, producing a total fine of US$10,000. It also ordered LIPAY Inc. to cover proceedings-related costs and stated that additional amounts could be recovered in relation to licensing fees and activities during the period addressed by the enforcement action.

Liberia's licensing framework remains central

The latest development places the focus back on Liberia's licensing framework. Gaming Regulation 001 provides the legal operating structure for several forms of gaming in the country, including sports betting, casino gaming and other games of chance.

The regulation states that the NLA was established with authority to regulate games of chance within Liberia and sets out requirements covering licensing, transfers, renewals, conduct of gaming, penalties and responsible gaming. It also confirms that a gaming license is formal permission granted under the National Lottery Authority Act.

For operators seeking to maintain a presence in Liberia, compliance is therefore an ongoing requirement rather than a one-time licensing exercise.

The latest settlement statement similarly emphasizes continued compliance with AML/CFT requirements and responsible gaming rules. Liberia's Financial Intelligence Agency identifies gaming as a reporting sector under the country's AML/CFT framework and requires relevant reporting entities to identify and monitor financial crime risks.

Public license information has not yet caught up

One point requires particular caution when assessing the current status of 1xBet in Liberia. The NLA's public licensed-operators page, as currently displayed, still lists LIPAY Bet under an older sports betting license issued on May 9, 2025 with an expiration date of May 8, 2026. The page does not yet show the reported September 2026 license.

This appears to be an update lag on the public register because the September 25 report reproduces an NLA statement confirming that a new license was issued on September 22 and that LIPAY Inc. is again an officially licensed operator representing 1xBet.

For publication purposes, the most precise description is therefore that LIPAY Inc.'s licensing status was restored and a new 2026/2027 license was reported as issued by the NLA. The distinction is important because the regulator's online operator list had not yet been updated at the time of review.

What the return means for 1xBet

The development gives 1xBet a renewed route into the Liberian market through LIPAY Inc. The scope of the reported license is broader than sports betting alone, covering online casino and online lottery operations as well.

At the same time, the history of the dispute means that future operations will remain closely tied to compliance with the NLA's licensing conditions. The September settlement does not remove the regulatory framework. Instead, it places LIPAY Inc. back inside that framework under a fresh licensing period.

For the market as a whole, the case also illustrates the importance of clear corporate identity and regulatory transparency when international brands operate through local entities.

The NLA has repeatedly emphasized that gaming operators must comply with its licensing requirements. Its current regulatory materials also provide specific rules for online gaming, licensing procedures and enforcement.

Conclusion

The reported return of 1xBet to Liberia represents a new phase in a regulatory dispute that has involved suspension, revocation, financial penalties and a subsequent settlement. LIPAY Inc. now holds a reported one-year license for the 2026/2027 period covering sports betting, online casino and online lottery services.

The immediate significance lies in the restoration of LIPAY Inc.'s operating status and its renewed ability to represent the 1xBet brand under Liberian authorization. Yet the public licensing record currently appears to require an update, making careful wording essential when describing the company's present regulatory position.

The episode also underlines a broader principle of Liberia's gaming market. Brand recognition does not replace local licensing and an operator's ability to continue offering regulated services depends on sustained compliance with the requirements imposed by the National Lottery Authority and related authorities.

For 1xBet and LIPAY Inc., the next phase will therefore be defined not only by the new license itself but by continued adherence to Liberia's regulatory, AML/CFT and responsible gaming obligations.

FAQs

What happened to 1xBet in Liberia?
1xBet is returning to the Liberian market through LIPAY Inc. after the National Lottery Authority restored LIPAY Inc.'s licensing status under a new 2026/2027 license.

Who holds the new license for 1xBet in Liberia?
The reported new license was issued to LIPAY Inc. The NLA statement identifies LIPAY Inc. as the operator representing the 1xBet brand in Liberia.

What does the new LIPAY Inc. license cover?
The reported license covers sports betting, online casino and online lottery operations for the 2026/2027 licensing period.

When was the new license issued?
The license was reported as issued on September 22, 2026. The announcement describing the restoration was published on September 25, 2026.

Why was LIPAY Inc. previously sanctioned?
The NLA's June 2026 ruling found LIPAY Inc. liable for violations involving disclosure requirements, the non-transferability of its license, unauthorized operations and breaches of license conditions.

How much was LIPAY Inc. fined?
The NLA imposed four administrative fines of US$2,500 each for a total of US$10,000.

Was 1xBet itself found liable by the NLA ruling?
The June ruling did not impose liability on the management of 1 X BET. The complaint against that respondent was dismissed without prejudice because of misjoinder and the failure to sue a legal entity.

Is 1xBet directly licensed by Liberia?
The available material indicates that the Liberian license is held by LIPAY Inc. while LIPAY represents the 1xBet brand. The June ruling specifically distinguished the brand from a legal entity holding a license.

Does the NLA public license register show the new license?
At the time of review, the NLA's public licensed-operators page still showed LIPAY Bet under an older license that expired on May 8, 2026. The page had not yet reflected the reported September 22 license.

What compliance requirements apply to LIPAY Inc. going forward?
The reported settlement requires continued compliance with applicable licensing rules, AML/CFT requirements and responsible gaming obligations. Liberia's Gaming Regulation 001 provides the broader regulatory framework for licensed gaming activity.