1xCare, the responsible gambling initiative affiliated with global operator 1xBet, has formally unveiled the expert members of its new Advisory Committee at iGB Live.
Chair Simon Westbury confirmed that the organisation had been more than a year in development before its public launch, describing its emergence as an organic process rather than a rushed announcement.
The non-profit initiative is built around four core pillars — research, education, technology and well-being — which 1xCare says are all deeply interconnected and mutually reinforcing.
Westbury stated that long-term sustainability should sit at the heart of everything the industry does, arguing that player protection and commercial success are not mutually exclusive goals.
“Long-term sustainability needs to be the focus of the industry,” Westbury said, “because if, as an operator, 1xBet itself builds trust in the brand through player protection and safer gambling initiatives and we provide a safe, fun environment for players to enjoy, they’re gonna be with us for longer.”
He acknowledged the journey that led to this moment, noting that “1xBet committed to an evolution when I joined them, around partnerships, around products, around empowering our people, and the regulatory environment with over 35 licenses.”
Quirino Mancini has joined the Advisory Committee, bringing over 20 years of regulatory and legal expertise across the Italian market and the broader international gambling sector.
Mancini sits on the ExCo of the International Master of Gaming Law, having previously served as the body’s president, and is also a co-founder of SBC Advisory Partners.
Chris Bird has also taken a seat on the Advisory Committee, with a career spanning a Chief Operating Officer role at Manchester City FC and CEO positions at Sports Tours International and The Raheem Sterling Foundation.
Sissel Weitzhändler completes the Advisory Committee line-up, leading on gambling regulation and public policy across all four of 1xCare’s operational pillars.
Westbury was clear that 1xCare does not intend to simply generate noise, emphasising instead its commitment to delivering measurable results across all four strands of its mission.
The organisation plans to hand out scholarships for independent research into gambling harm, with Westbury noting that academic work of this kind takes time but remains a key ambition.
Looking ahead to the organisation’s first 18 months, Westbury said he wants to see tangible progress, adding: “I put my personal name above the parapet here. It’s now time to deliver.”
He also outlined plans to work with external partners on sports integrity and education initiatives, while seeking out broader projects that align with the wider 1xCare mission.
The ultimate ambition is for the iGaming sector to continue growing at scale while placing player protection firmly at the centre of that expansion, making the industry more sustainable for all involved.
