The online gambling industry is controversial and comes with both advantages and disadvantages. Some believe it provides people with opportunities to make more money on their own terms. On the other hand, there are those who claim it promotes gambling addiction, encourages underage players, and lures new players into fraudulent sites.
Regardless of which side you fall on, online gambling advertising has undoubtedly been growing in popularity as more and more celebrities endorse online gambling platforms like / to their followers on social media networks like Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook. Jacek Michalski is our gambling advisor, who has extensive expertise in the field. Read on to see his top picks for gambling ads endorsed by celebrities.
Kadie Gordon: 32 Red
Because of their effect on young people, celebrities and sports stars under the age of 25 are prohibited from advocating gambling in the UK and other countries. However, this does not apply to all kinds of advertisements.
For example, logos emblazoned on team uniforms are not deemed advertising under regulations. It means that Kaide Gordon, a 16-year-old who is widely considered one of England’s brightest prospects, was legally allowed to wear a 32Red shirt while playing for Derby County.
Cristiano Ronaldo: Poker Stars
Cristiano Ronaldo is a legendary figure in sports who needs no introduction. In 2015, he secured a deal to be a brand ambassador for PokerStars. Here’s what he had to say:
“While football is my career, poker has always been my game. I’m thrilled to join the team.”
He is considered a good figure for gambling advertising because of his large social media following. The Portuguese football sensation has more than 130 million followers on Instagram and 100 million on Facebook.
Ronaldo not only promotes this popular poker site, but he also plays in live events. Unsurprisingly, stars make money at online casinos too. In fact, online casino games are some of the best ways to travel and make money online.
Dolph Lundgren: Leo Vegas
Dolph Lundgren, who starred as Russian boxer Ivan Drago in Rocky IV in 1985, was a true tough boxer who posed a challenge to Sylvester Stallone’s character’s title.
Lundgren, born in Sweden, debuted as He-Man in Masters of the Universe two years later before acting in many direct-to-video roles. However, in 2018, LeoVegas (a Swedish casino) took a chance on the then 60-year-old for TV advertising in Sweden and online.
This explains why we see so many world stars at online casinos. In fact, the Polish handballer Wiktor Malinowski made $842,438 when he played poker with Michael Addamo in 2020.
Harvey Elliot: DafaBet
Gambling corporations are the major shirt sponsors of more than half of Premier League and English Football League teams, producing an estimated £110 million in revenue.
The disclosures likely feed calls for a crackdown as part of the gaming law review that began last month.
Current standards state ‘advertisements must never be targeted towards youngsters,’ according to Sports Minister Nigel Huddleston. ‘However, the depiction of a team’s football shirt with a gambling operator’s emblem is not deemed advertising,’ he noted.
‘It beggars belief that a government official can declare that jersey sponsorship is not advertising – especially when it is shown on the shirts of adolescent players,’ said former England goalkeeper Peter Shilton, who is advocating for gambling advertising restrictions in sports. Thousands of young fans are being taught that they can’t watch a game without betting on it. It’s past time for gambling advertisements to be banned from football.’
Mike Tyson: Inspire Gaming Group
Mike Tyson is the most famous boxer in the world and was the youngest heavyweight champion in history. Inspire Gaming was inclined to hire this talented figure and developed several casino goods based on him, as he is the inspiration for many worldwide boxers.
A slot called “Mike Tyson Knockout Slot” is one of these goods. The game has five reels and 20 paylines, as well as high-definition images and animations.
Ray Winstone: Bet 365
Ray Winstone has been the face of Bet365 advertisements since 2009 and is still doing so today. He is known for his hard man performances in films such as Scum, Quadrophenia, and Nil by Mouth.
Although the London-born actor is most known for his sportsbook advertisements, the UK-based firm also has a casino and runs advertising for it.
Leonardo DiCaprio: Studio City
Molly’s Game, a biographical book about Leonardo DiCaprio, reveals his affinity for poker. In 2015, the actor co-starred in a film with Robert De Niro for a new casino resort in Macau.
The commercial, directed by Martin Scorsese and produced for $70 million, had De Niro and DiCaprio competing for the same part in a spoof film called The Audition.
Macau is known as the “gambling capital of the world” and the “Monte Carlo of the East,” therefore, the budget was not unexpected.
Conclusion
Online gaming has existed since those early days when users used to play games like Solitaire for hours on end. Today, the gambling industry has grown tenfold, explaining the need for stars promoting gambling advertising.
