Fouzi Lekjaa, the Minister of Budget, criticized the Russian-based sports betting company 1XBET during a parliamentary session, accusing it of draining billions in foreign currency and engaging in “unsound” activities.
Lekjaa pointed out that gambling in Morocco is well-regulated, with national companies paying taxes, while 1XBET operates in ways that violate these norms.
He also highlighted that the company is a sponsor of the Raja Casablanca football team and has offered sponsorship to several Moroccan sports clubs, including the Royal Moroccan Football Federation, but these offers were rejected by the government.
Lekjaa emphasized that for such corporate dealings to be legitimate, companies must have proper documentation, headquarters, and compliance with local regulations.
He expressed concerns about 1XBET’s international dealings, as it is a major sponsor of the African Football Confederation, which raises further alarm.
The minister also discussed recent legislative adjustments regarding online gambling, stressing the importance of regulating activities that deal with foreign currencies and avoid tax evasion.
He called for stronger legal frameworks to curb such activities, stating that the real danger lies not in local operators but in international companies like 1XBET that bypass regulatory controls. This issue has been a point of controversy in Morocco, with concerns over the lack of clear legal frameworks and the company’s failure to contribute taxes.
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