Simon Westbury, 1xBet: “Operators need clarity, communication and consistency”

Shows & conferences - 21 October, 2025

Focus Gaming News spoke with Simon Westbury, Strategic Advisor at 1xBet, during SBC Summit Lisbon 2025.

In the interview, Westbury praised the event as “the complete show,” explaining that for a global B2C brand like 1xBet, the value extends far beyond simple transactions. The key, he said, is that “everyone I need to speak to is here."

During the interview, Westbury was asked about where the ROI for the client is oversold, and he said that he return on investment is measured by the ability to positively “move the dial” on the company’s reputation and strategic goals.

A major focus of 1xBet’s presence was the launch of a new player protection report for Western Europe, produced in partnership with SBC. Westbury shared some surprising findings, noting a significant disconnect in operator sentiment. While 60 per cent of operators rated their local regulations a 7 out of 10, a deeper dive revealed that 46 per cent were unhappy with the rules and 23 per cent wanted more clarity. He cited examples of UK operators being fearful of engaging with the regulator and Swedish operators looking to enforcement actions to understand the rules. The report’s main message, he concluded, was that “operators need clarity, communication and consistency.”

Westbury argued that when regulation is unclear or overly punitive, it risks pushing players towards the unregulated market. He stressed that regulations should “facilitate and help us drive business in the correct manner,” not hinder it. This ties into the core concept of trust, which he described as being “more than a target.” For 1xBet, trust is built through the power of its brand, which is reinforced by high-profile partnerships with organisations like Paris Saint-Germain, FC Barcelona, and FIBA. He explained that securing these deals demonstrates to the end user that 1xBet is “committed to building a powerful brand on a powerful product.”