The worlds of sports and casino gambling are two distinct industries. In a surprising twist, casinos have converged with some renowned football stars to assume the role of brand ambassadors for various gambling platforms.
Several football stars are already casino ambassadors and impacting the gambling industry. Keep reading to find out more about who these football stars are.
Popular Football Stars Who Are Casino Ambassadors
Casino operators that offer exciting games and beneficial casino no deposit bonus offers to their players are increasingly choosing football stars as their ambassadors due to their unrivalled appeal. These high-profile footballers’ global fan base makes them highly effective in drawing attention to the casino industry.
Moreover, these athletes’ brands make them a great medium for casino operators to push responsible gambling campaigns as fans admire these athletes’ dedication and discipline. Below are the most famous football stars who have endorsed the casino industry.
Cristiano Ronaldo
One of the most notable names in both football and online gambling is Cristiano Ronaldo. He is arguably one of the best football players that ever graced the sport. With over 800 goals to his name, this Portuguese player has cemented his name in the Football Hall of Fame.
Apart from his on-field success, Cristiano Ronaldo is also known for his extreme love for playing poker. He has appeared in several advertisements that have promoted the online poker platform with millions of his social media followers.
Michael Owen
Michael Owen is another notable football star who turned online casino ambassador. He is widely considered to be one of the greatest football strikers of his generation and the greatest Liverpool player in the history of the club. The retired English football player is the brand ambassador for the online casino and sportsbook provider. He uses his reputation to promote brand awareness and encourage new users to join using promotions and bonuses. The former football sensation appears in the casino’s broadcast and other online ads to promote crypto gambling over other outdated methods.
Wayne Rooney
Wayne Rooney is a football manager and the former Manchester United and England captain. He is widely considered one of the best football players of his generation. Wayne Rooney has a premier league record of over 500 appearances, 208 goals, and 103 assists. However, he is also known for his passion for gambling and being the brand ambassador of an online casino company. He is known to play all types of games, including:
- Slots
- Poker
- Roulette
- Blackjack
David Luiz
David Luiz is another football star who has become a brand ambassador for a gambling company. He is the official ambassador of a crypto casino. He uses his social media platform to promote the brand and live-stream casino games.
Ronaldinho Gaúcho
Ronaldinho Gaucho is a retired Brazilian professional footballer. He is widely regarded as one of the best football players of all time, winning two FIFA World Player of the Year awards and a Ballon d’Or. He is the brand ambassador of the well-known betting house.
This football star has been featured in several short videos and advertisements that have promoted this betting site.
Gabriel Omar Batistuta
Gabriel Omar Batistuta is an Argentinian former professional football player. He was one of the greatest strikers of his generation. He is also the official ambassador for the successful sportsbook operator that offers betting services for soccer matches and related events. Some other notable sports stars outside football that are ambassadors for online casinos include:
- Mike Tyson (boxing)
- Shane Warne (cricket)
- Michael Jordan (basketball)
The Impacts of Football Stars on the Gambling Industry
Beyond the entertainment that these football stars share on the field, they have an undeniable influence on the gambling industry. Their involvement drives increased engagement and participation, resulting in higher revenues for casinos. Below is a table that shows the upsides and downsides of using football stars as casino ambassadors.
| Merits | Demerits |
| Leveraging on the existing fan base of football stars, companies can use effective marketing campaigns to attract first-time online gambling users | Viewers with a negative outlook on gambling will feel their favourite sport or player is being exploited |
| Low-deposit casinos can be presented to fans and players as a glamorous and luxurious brand, as it is recommended by football stars they adore | Football players have a societal impact on their fans and may be at risk of inciting irresponsible gambling among younger fans |
| It also increases the earning potential of the players | Online casinos and betting can cause addiction and financial loss among fans and other players |
| Football stars as brand ambassadors help create awareness for promotions and strategies for responsible gambling |
Conclusion
Casinos are increasingly choosing football stars as ambassadors due to their unrivalled appeal. These athletes possess massive personal brands and global fan bases, making them highly effective in drawing attention to casino brands.
Despite criticisms from some groups, this strategy continues to prove beneficial to the gambling companies adopting it.