Online gambling has evolved into a thriving industry, experiencing unprecedented expansion and growth. But, it wasn’t always this way. The iGaming industry once faced strict regulations and challenging periods before casino gaming and sports betting before playing casino games and betting on sports became one of today’s popular pastime activities.
Ronaldo and the Story of How He Skipped the Ballon d’Or Festivity for Poker
Before Cristiano Ronaldo took center stage, another football legend named Ronaldo Nazario, often referred to as the “Phenomenon,” was making headlines. Nazario was pivotal in introducing poker to a broader audience. By 2013, he had joined forces with PokerStars, becoming a prominent face of the emerging poker platform. Although many saw this as merely a business partnership, Ronaldo developed a genuine fondness for the game and honed his skills with guidance from expert players. The two-time Ballon d’Or awardee also marked his presence in several offline poker tournaments. While he didn’t always take the top spot, his participation was significant.
One remarkable incident in 2015 saw Ronaldo winning over $42,000 at the PokerStars Caribbean Adventure tournament in the Bahamas, clinching the 26th position. Notably, he prioritized this event over the Ballon d’Or ceremony, emphasizing his deep-rooted passion for poker.
Neymar Jr and His Role as PokerStars Ambassador
Many footballers endorse betting sites and online casinos, but Neymar’s partnership with PokerStars stands out as particularly successful and popular. At this time, Neymar was among the world’s top five highest-earning footballers, making him an ideal ambassador for PokerStars. This collaboration led to Neymar starring in multiple advertisements for various poker events and offerings. Interestingly, neither La Liga nor Ligue 1 officials raised concerns about this partnership, despite the usual concern regarding the connection between sports and gambling. Since teaming up with PokerStars, Neymar has cultivated a genuine passion for poker. While he’s had moments of success, like winning 18,000 EUR at the Brazilian Series of Poker, his loss of €1 Million in an online poker game left the world stunned.
Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Bethard
The now-retired Zlatan Ibrahimovic has had his share of top-tier teams across a remarkable career. However, during his stay in the MLs at LA Galaxy, the Swedish striker had a fruitful collaboration with one of the top British online casinos, Bethard. During his time as an ambassador, Zlatan appeared in television ads and company advertisements. Furthermore, Ibrahimovic was so convinced by his work as Bethard ambassador that he bought shares in the company.
Cristiano Ronaldo and PokerStars
If you already think there’s a pattern with PokerStars targeting the most prominent football stars, you’re 100% correct. PokerStars’ marketing team couldn’t leave out the most popular football player ever. The collaboration started in 2015 and generated some of the best campaigns ever.
Football fans and poker enthusiasts could admire masterpieces like Cristiano Ronaldo vs Aaron Paul or Cristiano Ronaldo vs Miss World as part of the PokerStars Duel series. While the series presented poker duels in a funny manner, the impact of Ronaldo’s face on these things was tremendous. The traffic on PokerStars spiked and the sole coverage of news bulletins and media about this move helped the poker platform gain hundreds of thousands of members or followers on social media.
Final Thoughts
Celebrities have certainly increased the appeal of online gambling, elevating it to mainstream entertainment. Notable figures like Cristiano Ronaldo, Neymar, 50 Cent, and Nicki Minaj play pivotal roles in this transformation. Their involvement adds a layer of trust and glamour to the online betting world. By starring in commercials or taking part in gambling themselves, they make gambling more accepted and less stigmatized to the public. With this surge in popularity, regulatory bodies and governments are increasingly focused on promoting responsible gambling. While some countries strictly limit the connection between sports and the iGaming world, others are more open, hinting at future exciting partnerships.
