The iGaming industry is on the rise, with the industry gearing up to hit the $107 billion mark by the end of 2024. The crowd entering this space is rapidly increasing, and currently, there are over 500 million iGaming enthusiasts globally.
But what’s the reason behind this massive growth in this sector? It’s the marketing program of different gaming platforms and online casinos. The brands are tempting players with lucrative bonuses and amazing offerings. Like most businesses, these casinos and online betting platforms are actively collaborating with popular faces and influential personalities across the globe.
Following the growing trend of online promotions and advertisements, a bucket full of reputed celebrities are walking into the iGaming sector as brand ambassadors. While some of these stars are attracted by the lucrative rewards the brands are offering, others are coming in out of their passion for online gaming. These well-known celebrities and betting platforms are rigorously associated with high-ticket sponsorships and deals.
These high-profile sponsorships have changed the face of online gambling, squeezing attention away from the industry and blurring the distinction between entertainment and betting. Today, in the world of iGaming, you will find hundreds of trusted and reputed faces. From legacy sportsmen like Cristiano Ronaldo to Hollywood A-listers like Ben Affleck, the lure of rich sponsorship deals has attracted all the celebrities looking to capitalize on their reputation and influence.
These collaborations are igniting the popularity of online gaming platforms globally. Celebrities are dragging in more players to the new as well as legacy platforms, leveraging their face value. On the other hand, the platforms are loading the pockets of these celebrities with big rewards and humongous sponsorship deals. So, as the iGaming industry evolves and rapidly expands, these partnerships will pull a huge crowd to the gaming platforms.
Do you want to know about those popular stars who are promoting betting platforms and online casinos and bagging humongous funds? In this piece, we will talk about the biggest celebrities taking online casinos and sports deals in 2024.
The Rise of Celebrity in Sports Betting and Casino Endorsements
For years, celebrities played the role of trump cards when it came to advertising a brand or company. Every time you open TV or social media, you will find one of your favorite celebrities promoting a product or service. These celebrities, with time, become the face of the brands, dragging in the audience. People believe that if their favorite celebrities are using the brand, it’s good for them too.
The same goes for the iGaming industry. Celebrities have played an increasingly important role in marketing owing to their prestige and personalities. In recent years, the sports betting industry has leveraged the popularity of social media by partnering with well-known sportsmen to promote their brands. Big personalities in sports, such as Cristiano Ronaldo, Neymar Jr., and Conor McGregor, have signed lucrative deals with top international bookmakers.
Athletes’ partnerships with sports betting platforms can be beneficial for a variety of reasons. Primarily, it raises the prominence of the platforms themselves, leveraging the fan base of these athletes to reach a larger audience.
It is a significant boost to their reputation, as endorsements from notable athletes make most betting sites appear legitimate. Finally, it not only provides sportsmen with an additional source of revenue but also a chance for them to market themselves beyond their specific sports.
While athletes seem to be a significant part of the world of sports betting, celebrities from the entertainment industry have also entered the online betting scene. Online gambling companies are now engaging celebrities such as actors, singers, and other entertainers to represent their businesses as brand ambassadors to the general public. From commercials to box-office events to being the faces of online gambling services, celebrities serve as brand ambassadors to improve their appeal.
The appeal of collaborating with celebrities stems from their ability to capture the audience’s attention. Combining their brands with well-known personalities from the entertainment industry exposes them to new audiences and increases excitement among players.
Top 10 Biggest Celebrities Taking Online Casino and Sports Sponsorship Deals
The entertainment industry and the iGaming industry are two of the biggest markets around the globe. So, the blend of these two can unlock a million opportunities. To leverage this potential, more and more celebrities are walking into the iGaming sector, creating a new source of income.
Curious to know about the stars with whom you have already signed big deals with online casinos and sports betting platforms? Here are the top 10:
Christiano Rolando
This man needs no introduction. He is the biggest icon in the football world. Rising from the ashes and claiming the crown of one of the best footballers in the world, Cristiano Ronaldo has developed a gigantic fanbase. CR7 is not just a football now. He has turned into a brand, influencing millions.
Ronaldo is wildly popular across social media, with his fans going crazy after him. This unbelievable fandom has compelled a bucket full of online casino and sports betting brands to knock on his door for promotions.
In 2015, CR7 signed a big deal with PokerStars, making him their brand ambassador. Ronaldo’s endorsement adds faith and authenticity to these betting sites. His status as a successful and renowned athlete reassures customers about the brand’s credibility and fair play. On top of that, several casinos also host CR7 games that leverage the popularity of the star. Making a win-win situation for both.
Shahrukh Khan
Is there anyone left on the entire globe who does not know this guy? He is a global star heading from the lap of India. Shahrukh Khan is one of the biggest actors in the world, with a fandom ready to die for him. Working in the Indian film industry for over 30 years, his man has won a million hearts.
As a result of his incredible popularity across the world, brands are always running behind SRK to make him their brand ambassador. Recently, popular online casinos and poker platforms have also joined the race. SRK is the face of many Indian online gaming platforms, which spend a hefty amount on the star for global marketing.
Mike Tyson
Yes! The legendary boxer Mike Tyson is a big fan of some gambling platforms as well. In 2019, Parimatch, one of the most popular online gaming halls, appointed Mike as their CIS area ambassador. He became the brand’s ambassador, and the company’s popularity skyrocketed.
Tyson and Parimatch’s collaboration had a visible impact, thanks to Tyson’s well-established reputation and simple transition to sponsorships. As a result of this arrangement, the platform was able to attract millions of new bettors and was included in Parimatch’s ad campaigns, demonstrating the compatibility of a well-known athlete and a respected online bookmaker.
Paris Hilton
Paris Whitney Hilton is a popular American media personality, businesswoman, and socialite. While she has always been surrounded by controversies, this has not barred her success in the iGaming sector. Paris is obsessed with blackjack, and her online casino ethos has drawn her to several brands.
Paris Hilton has collaborated with tonnes of online gaming brands, attracting many female players to online casinos. In the past, she has worked with big online platforms like BGO Casino and many more. Recently, she got her hands on a big deal with WOW Vegas Casino, joining as a brand ambassador. WOW Vegas, with Paris Hilton as its face, seeks to transform the social casino experience by delivering excitement and entertainment to gamers of all backgrounds.
Neymar
Neymar is the god of all football enthusiasts. Although his popularity falls under CR7, he is one of the finest players in the world of football. Millions of fans like him and preach him as their idol. He is a Brazilian football sensation who has created a social identity.
With Neymar hitting the headlines as the 2015 PokerStars’ global ambassador, it was obviously a sign of a huge partnership on the horizon. The partnership’s success in 2019 pulled him into the brand’s cultural ambassador position in 2020. The expansion of his involvement wasn’t limited to just endorsements, of course, because he also contributed to the creative side of special projects at Poker Stars. Neymar being one of the poker lovers, his engagement not only attracted poker players but also football enthusiasts to the platform, which demonstrated the current trend of ‘sports-poker’ ruling under Neymar`s leadership. The hold goes on to this day, and the scope of gaming and entertainment is just growing by leaps and bounds in the online world of gaming.
Drake
Drake is one of those rappers and musicians who brought the rapping trend to the globe. He is a megastar with millions of loyal followers. Like most of the celebrities. Drake also monetized this fandom to generate grand revenues through collaborations and advertisements with casino brands and sports betting platforms.
As per his official statements, Drake is a big fan of online gambling and uses skills to earn money through these platforms. In 2022, the rapper cracked a humongous deal with a popular online casino and sports betting platform, Stake. Drake’s collaboration with the platform has helped it bring in tonnes of new players and boosted the brand’s image.
Jose Mourinho
Enough talking about the footballers; now let’s introduce you to the head that manages them. Jose Mourinho is one of the most popular football managers, and he has ventured into a bunch of collaborations and sponsorships with big brands. With his strategic acumen and mind-boggling popularity, Mourinho’s ventures with casinos and online betting platforms have grabbed the eyeballs of millions of fans and bettors alike.
Besides his management skills, Mourinho comes with a bag full of humor, wit, and an overall attractive personality. This has helped him reach out to the masses and grab incredible sponsorship deals. He has worked closely with several online casinos, promoting their brands, products, and bonuses.
Ray Romano
Ray Romano is another popular face in the American entertainment industry. He is a highly-rated standup comedian, screenwriter, and actor. After winning two Grammy awards, Ray solidified his position and fandom in the space.
Speaking about his association with the iGaming sector, he is a long-time member of Poker Stars. According to insiders, Ray loves to play in online private tournaments on the popular site. Rumors say he bets on very high stakes. He bets big and has the money to back it up, making him one of Poker Stars’ most successful endorsers.
Usain Bolt
The online gaming industry is running at a high pace, and who can catch it other than Usain Bolt? He is a retired Jamaican sprinter who is largely regarded as the best sprinter in history. Apart from excellence in sports, Bolt has done wonders for brands when it comes to promotions. This gold medalist is popular among gambling enthusiasts. He has worked with a lot of online gaming brands, pushing their popularity to the skies.
Usain Bolt also has his own online slot game, named Usain Bolt: The Slot Game. Bolt has a partnership with Ganapati PLC to market the betting game, which has reportedly earned the sprinter around $60 million.
Jamie Foxx
Remember Electro from the Spider-Man franchise? Yes, we are talking about the famous American actor behind the character, Jamie Foxx. With this presence in a tonne of A-class Hollywood movies, Foxx has a huge fanbase.
So, as you know, a fanbase attracts brands, and in 2020, BetMGM handed over a huge contract to Jamie. Joining hands with the brand, they created the super-successful ‘The King of Sportsbooks’ campaign. This campaign allowed BetMGM to attract millions of players to the platform and make dollars in revenue.
Conclusion
As the world of iGaming evolves and extends its arms to new benchmarks, the key drivers of the growth will be celebrities and online streamers. They bring a unique blend of popularity, charisma, and influence to the table that helps the brands reach out to a wider audience. Although these collaborations have incredible potential, the stakeholders must deal with them with care, prioritizing transparency, and responsible gaming practices.
