A controversial Russian-affiliated betting firm known as 1xBet Kenya has made a discreet return to the country, operating covertly. The operations are being overseen by Advanced Gaming Limited, which is not shying away from public display.
On July 28, 2023, under unclear circumstances, the Betting and Control Licensing Board issued license numbers 0000535 and 0000324 to permit the company to operate within Kenya’s borders. However, the reasons behind this decision remain murky.
Insider information reveals that Arthur Mildow, the CEO of Delart, has been surreptitiously present in the country to facilitate the establishment of the company. Curiously, this activity coincided with a time of international concern due to the conflict in Ukraine.
An area of concern is the alleged involvement of 1xBet in illicit money transactions through what industry insiders claim to be manipulative tactics. In Kenya, Advanced Gaming Limited functions as the official entity behind 1xBet, asserting a legal separation from the Russian company, even though the brand is shared.
Industry sources intimate that Advanced Gaming is intricately linked with 1xBet, forming part of a broader network comprising numerous entities across the globe.
1xBet’s associations extend to individuals such as Roman Semiokhin, Sergey Karshov, and Dmitry Kazorin. Tragically, Karshov met his demise in June during a medical procedure in Switzerland.
Oddly, complications during medical treatment led to Karshov falling into a coma. It is intriguing that the individuals associated with 1xBet have not garnered international goodwill, as they find themselves on the most-wanted lists of law enforcement agencies.
During Uhuru Kenyatta’s presidency, 1xBet’s license was revoked due to allegations of money laundering and the participation of young individuals, including minors, in gambling activities. Originally introduced to Kenya in 2016 under Ex-Invest Limited ownership, the company has subsequently changed hands to Advanced Gaming.
New revelations indicate that Arthur Mildow conspired with his brother Vadim to manipulate the ownership and operations of 1xBet within Kenya. Despite international security agencies keeping a watchful eye on them, the brothers have successfully continued their operations within Kenya.
International sources suggest that the Mildow brothers have been tied to multi-billion-dollar drug trafficking and money laundering operations. Operating discreetly, they remain largely out of the public eye. They were previously linked to the well-known Nairobi establishment, Pavement Club, and have reentered Kenya’s borders discreetly, residing in Muthaiga and Muthangari.
In the past, during the tenure of President Uhuru, the two Russians were taken aback when they arrived in Kenya on August 5, 2019, only to be promptly deported by immigration officials. Subsequently, on January 7, 2020, a government official declared them to be security threats and unwelcome in Kenya, issuing orders for their departure.
Of particular note is the connection between Mildow and the death of another Russian individual named Victor Gontcharenko, who went missing. Mildow claimed that Victor had traveled to Tanzania, yet his body was discovered dumped in a dam in Nairobi. Subsequent investigations unveiled Victor’s drug-related demise. He had been involved in peddling narcotics to foreigners residing in upscale Nairobi neighborhoods.
Remarkably, the Mildow brothers waited for three years before challenging the deportation order in court. They took legal action against several prominent government officials. Confidential security reports on Mildow reveal that he arrived in Kenya in the mid-1990s alongside individuals like Andrei Kourtasov, Andrea Petrov, Chapovolo Valeri, and Andrea Kountr.
These individuals have links to enterprises deemed suspicious, including Vim Invest Ltd, Laken Ltd, Femga, and Valand Training Ltd. Kourtasov and Valeri faced charges related to Victor’s murder, while their involvements extended to enterprises such as DFT Entertainment Ltd and De Lart Investments. The latter is connected to De Lart Holdings, registered in Cyprus and the British Virgin Islands, known for its involvement in illicit money movements.
The Mildow brothers also engaged in questionable transactions with Shailesh Patel at Pavement Club. Shailesh was associated with the drug trade and had ties to the notorious Akasha brothers. Shailesh faced legal action for defaulting on a payment of approximately 17 million shillings.
Demonstrating their influence, the Russian brothers managed to secure work permits as directors of Midlands Logistics Ltd in 2017. This company, connected to Cyprus and the British Virgin Islands, lacked local shareholders.
It is noteworthy that Russian individuals involved in both drugs and 1xBet, such as Semiokhin and Karshkov, have connections to Cyprus and engage in activities beyond the realm of betting. Those linked to 1xBet have been associated with suspicious deaths and criminal activities. Even within Kenya, individuals connected to Victor’s death were released due to insufficient evidence.
Despite previous license suspensions in Britain and Kenya, 1xBet has reemerged. It operates through unauthorized websites, mobile apps, streaming services, and more. Due to concerns over financial transparency, 1xBet resorts to using cryptocurrencies and alternative financial mechanisms instead of traditional bank accounts.
The oversight authority responsible for betting licenses falls under the jurisdiction of the Interior Ministry. Kithure Kindiki is at the helm, and he appointed Jane Makau to head the licensing body. This appointment, effective from December 20, 2022, spans three years. There are suspicions that Russian interests have managed to sway senior members of the oversight body, leveraging their connections to navigate different administrations, including that of President William Ruto. Peter Mbugi serves as the CEO of the oversight group, and two senior immigration officials are implicated in aiding the activities of the Russian brothers.
