Celebrity Gambler: Hollywood’s Famous Poker Pros

Poker is a skill-based game that has gained widespread appeal in the recent past. Besides, the game is simple to learn, and it is no surprise that it also appeals to some of the most famous Hollywood celebrity gamblers in the world. When poker was gaining traction between 2005-2010, most poker sites used celebrities to market their brands. Most of these poker ambassadors were not professional poker players. In fact, they didn’t risk their own money; they only played when sponsored to do so.

Nowadays, there are more Hollywood celebrities with more than enough gaming skills required in online and offline poker rooms. Whether they are paid to represent a brand or not, the celebrities are armed with huge bankrolls, giving professional poker players a run for their money. In this piece, we will be looking at some of the famous Hollywood celebrities who are also poker players.

Jennifer Tilly

Hollywood actress Jennifer Tilly is unquestionably one of the most successful celebrity poker players in the world. Her interest in poker started when her father gave her a popular video poker game – Word Series of Poker. Jennifer Tilly also proved that she was into gambling when she co-starred in a film, Let It Ride, with Richard Dreyfus. Let It Ride was a film about a horse racing gambling enthusiast having a lucky day at the horse track.

As of now, Jennifer Tilly has more than $1 million in live dealer poker cashes. In addition to that, she won the ladies’ No-Limit Hold’em event in 2005, bagging the WSOP bracelet. Tilly’s success in poker can also be attributed to her professional poker boyfriend, who she has been dating since 2004. What’s more, Tilly is known for playing in high-stakes cash games and is currently having more than 60 cashes in live poker tournaments.

James Wood

James Wood is another famous Hollywood celebrity who has been playing poker for a while. Wood is remembered by many for his nomination for two Academy Awards. One award was for the Best Supporting Actor in the “Ghost of Mississippi” film. The second nomination was for the Best Actor for his role in Oliver Stone’s Salvador.

James Wood also received two Primetime Emmy Awards for the TV movies My Name is Bill W and Promise. Those who have played poker with James Wood consider him one of the most intelligent celebrities. He is believed to have an uncanny ability for the table talks that makes him hard to play with. Wood can talk to players in the middle of a decision, causing them to make horrible plays. He is also known for telling bad beat stories at the poker tables. In fact, he can tell bad beat stories for about 30 minutes, all aimed at distracting his opponents.

Kevin Hart

Comedian Kevin Hart is another popular celebrity who has played some of the biggest poker games and tournaments. The Hollywood Star has been sponsored by some of the leading poker sites, including Party Poker and PokerStars. Hart has also participated in some of the huge poker tournaments, including the $100K (buy-in) Super High Roller Tournament. This tournament was organized by PokerStars and took place in 2017 in the Bahamas.

Kevin Hart also participated in the Super High Roller Bowl tournament in 2017. This poker tournament took place in Las Vegas and required an entry fee of $300K. Hart did well on day 1, eliminating Phil Helmuth, a 16-time WSOP bracelet winner. On day 2, Kevin Hart was eliminated in the 24th place.

The Hollywood star is also known for being a risk-taker. He can make big plays and crazy bets. This means he has been winning and losing a huge amount of money at the same time. In fact, there is time he won a whopping $40K pot in a poker event. The poker pro – Daniel Negreanu, termed this event “the greatest televised hand in the history of poker.”

Shannon Elizabeth

Shannon Elizabeth is a popular Hollywood actress known for his role in the American Pie trilogy. The American actress is also a professional Tennis player. In 2006, Shannon admitted that she loved playing poker. In fact, she described playing poker as her second career. As a poker enthusiast, Shannon used to visit Las Vegas regularly in order to mix up with other professional poker players. She also participated in the NBC Heads-Up Poker Championship in 2007 and became a semi-finalist.

Shannon Elizabeth also participated in the $5000 Ate Up for Africa charity event, where she finished 2Nd. This event was a boost for Elizabeth, considering that she spent most of her free time doing charitable work. In fact, she is the founder of the Shannon Elizabeth Foundation, a renowned animal rescue organization in South Africa.

Todd Philipps

Todd Philips is one of the most popular directors in Hollywood. Todd is known for his roles in popular movies such as Road Trip and Old School. He is also remembered for the incredible gamble he took when making the famous movie – The Hangover. Believe it or not, Todd Philips gave up $7 million in director fees to have the freedom to make the movie and casting control. This gamble paid off handsomely, with Todd receiving $100 million in payouts.

Todd Philips’s incredible gambles are also the same at poker tables. The guy is willing to risk anything, provided that the poker prize in line is a big payout. Todd participated in the 2005 MPT Legends of Poker Championship event, where he finished 5th. He also walked home with a whopping $250,000 cash. Another exciting about Todd is that he is full of humor. Those who have played poker with him before consider his sense of humor as the weapon he uses to outsmart other poker players.

Brad Garrett

Brad Garrett is a stand-up comedian who has been active since the 1990s. His Hollywood CV includes top-rated movies such as Finding Nemo, Bugs Live, Everybody Loves Raymond and Garfield. Besides being a Hollywood actor, Brad Garret is a part-time professional poker player. Brad has participated in several poker tournaments, including the Poker Night in America. During this event, Brad Garrett faced off with poker legend Phil Helmuth, alias “Poker Brat.”

In 2005, Brad Garrett also participated in the Celebrity Poker Showdown Championship, where he won a whopping $100K cash. This was his biggest live cash, but he has also won other small cashes at various poker tournaments. For example, he has won two at WSOP and one at the recent 2022 Aria Poker Classics in Las Vegas.

Aaron Paul

Aaron Paul is another Hollywood celebrity who likes trying his luck on poker games. The Breaking Bad star has participated in some of the world’s most popular poker tournaments. For instance, he took part in the PokerStars Championship in 2015 and made it to day two of the main event. Aaron also participated in The Cube Poker event.

Well, this was a poker tournament where poker players stood in a huge see-through cube for a poker showdown.

In 2017, Aaron also faced off against the famous Football star Cristiano Ronaldo in the PokerStars Duel. Unfortunately, Aaron Paul lost the game to Cristiano Ronaldo. Despite not winning a fortune, Aaron still loves playing poker for fun.

Celebrity Gamblers: Why E-Sports Teams are Getting Casino Sponsors

Electronic sports, popularly known as e-sports, have indeed gained immense popularity in the recent past. This type of competitive video gaming involves professional e-sports teams competing against each other in video games like Call of Duty, Dota 2, League of Legends, Overwatch 2, and CS:GO. Millions of e-sports fans watch these e-sports tournaments and matches, thanks to streaming platforms such as Twitch.

The popularity of e-sports across the world has now drawn the attention of online casinos and sportsbooks. More and more online casinos and sportsbooks are willing to sign e-sports sponsorship deals worth millions of dollars. As you probably know, most online gambling sites have been sponsoring traditional sports, but they have now seen the potential benefits of sponsoring e-sports teams. The big question now is, “Why would an online sportsbook or casino sign an e-sport sponsorship deal worth millions? Well, this article will answer that question.

E-Sports Sponsorship is a Marketing Opportunity

When online casinos and sportsbooks sponsor e-sports teams, they are allowed to place their branding on those teams. For example, an e-sports team may allow a casino to print its logo on the team’s kit. And as we mentioned, e-sports tournaments, especially league finals, attract thousands of viewers across the world. This presents a great opportunity for the casino to market its products to e-sports fans.

When e-sports fans watch an e-sports tournament, they will see the casino’s logo or any other content used in branding. A good number of these e-sports fans will go ahead and check out what products the casino has to offer. If the products are good, some players will sign-up and increase the casino’s customer base. The end result is that e-sports fans will start placing e-sports bet online and increase the casino’s revenue.

E-Sports Sponsorship Improves Brand Awareness

Marketing experts believe that branding is not all about increasing sales. Instead, they believe that the primary role of branding is to increase product awareness. What this means is that if a person thinks of buying a product, the first thing that will come to their mind is your product. This psychological effect also applies to online casinos. When e-sports fans see the casino’s logo in e-sports from time to time, they will always associate online gambling with the casino.

And when e-sports fans see your brands regularly, they will be tempted to try the products. Some fans who are already active casino gamers on other sites will also want to try the casino’s products and see if they offer extra benefits. All this means business for the casino.

E-Sports Sponsorship Enhances Trust

One major problem that online casinos and sportsbooks face is earning trust from new customers. Many casino gamers have been scammed in the past, and they are now finding it hard to trust online gambling sites. The only way that casinos can navigate through this menace is by sponsoring respected e-sports teams.

Advertising casino products through a recognized e-sports team imply that you are operating a genuine business. When a sportsbook sponsors an e-sport team, it means the team’s management has done due diligence to make sure the site is 100% legal and legit. So, when fans see your branding in their favorite e-sport team, they will perceive the brand positively. And as a result, they will visit the casino site and place bets knowing they are safe and secure.

E-Sports Thriving More Than Other Gaming Products

Most gamers are no longer interested in traditional sports. Still, there is a good number of gamers who are not finding any fun in playing pure guessing casino games such as slot machines. Instead, they are switching to skill-based gamers, with e-sports being their best alternative. Online casinos and sportsbooks have recognized this fact and are now offering e-sports betting in order to stay in business.

And since casinos want to have a share of millions of e-sports fans, they have started sponsoring some of the most popular e-sports teams in the world. For example, there are many casinos out there that have already sponsored e-sports teams in popular e-sports games like League of Legends, Dota 2, and CS:GO. Casinos believe that e-sports fans will register on their sites when they see casinos’ branding on e-sports teams.

Young Gamers are into E-Sports

The world of e-sports is unquestionably dominated by young gamers. What this means is that most young people prefer playing video games over betting on sports and playing casino games. Online casinos and sportsbooks are also dominated by young people. So, if a gaming site wants to stay in business, it must offer e-sports betting.

Most gambling sites have already started offering e-sports betting to cater to the needs of young gamers. They have also started sponsoring major e-sport events and teams with the aim of attracting young people. Gambling companies believe that young people will definitely register on casino site when they see branding on their favorite e-sport team or event.

E-Sports Attract Millions of Viewers

A good number of e-sports events, especially league finals, are broadcast across the world. Those e-sports events that are not broadcast by TV stations are also live streamed on e-sports platforms such as Twitch. Well, this presents a great opportunity for casinos and sportsbooks to showcase their products. Branding the casino’s logo on the teams will, of course, improve brand awareness among millions of viewers.

A good number of viewers will then flock to the casino site, register an account, and place bets. This method of advertising is less costly compared to other methods. For example, advertising through billboards or paying for a TV advert would be very costly.

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Casinos as Supporters of Innovative Industries

The e-sports industry is considered one of the most innovative and emerging industries in the world. As a result, sponsoring e-sports is a great way of helping Casinos and sportsbooks position themselves as supporters of emerging industries. The main objective here is to improve the casino’s reputation and attract more players to the site.

In the US Casino Market, there are several land-based casinos and resorts that have sponsored e-sports teams with the aim of enhancing their reputation. For example, the Palms Casino Resort in Las Vegas has sponsored various e-sports teams, such as Counter Logic Gaming. The Cosmopolitan, also based in Las Vegas, has also sponsored several e-sports events, including the League of Legends Championship Series.

Final Thoughts

The online casino market across the world is already flooded. More and more casinos and sportsbooks are launching every day, meaning there is stiff competition. This is a threat to gambling companies, and it means that they must find a way to attract customers and stay in business. One of the strategies that gambling companies have implemented in order to survive is e-sports sponsorships. E-sports attracts millions of fans, and gambling companies believe that sponsoring e-sports teams will improve the brand’s image and attract new customers. These sponsorship deals are worth millions of dollars and have worked magic for most gambling companies.

It is, however, worth mentioning that there are concerns related to e-sports sponsorships. For example, there are people who believe that e-sports sponsorships will lead to problem gambling among young people. The rationale behind this is that young people prefer mobile games over sports and casino games.

Celebrity Gamblers: Sol Kerzner’s Effect on Casinos in Africa

Solomon Kerzner, popularly known as Sol Kerzner, was a South African business mogul known for founding some of the biggest hotel groups in South Africa and across the world. He is known for founding the famous Sun International Hotel Group and the Southern Sun Hotel Group. Sol Kerzner was born in 1935 to Jewish immigrants Morris Kerzner and Bertha Kerzner. Moreover, his parents operated a small fruit business before joining the hotel business.

Sol Kerzner’s name cannot go unmentioned when talking about land-based casinos and online casinos in South Africa. The South African Tycoon created a business empire that revolved around land-based casinos. In fact, the Sun International casinos in South Africa are available in 8 provinces out of 9 in the country. Sun International has also moved online, with Sunbet offering among the best South African casinos and sports betting to South African players.

Sol Kerzner Information

The South African casino mogul, Sol Kerzner, is a self-made billionaire. His career path dates back to 1962 when he purchased his first hotel – Astra Hotel – in Durban. This hotel business blossomed within no time resulting in the construction of a five-star graded hotel in Umhlanga. This resort, named Beverly Hills Hotel, was opened in December 1964. After Beverly Hills Hotel, Sol built another 450-room hotel, namely Southern Elangeni & Maharani. In 1969, Sol Kerzner partnered with South African Breweries to establish a chain of Southern Sun Hotels.

In 1979, Sol Kerzner built Sun City Resort which became one of his most successful business ventures. This project included a man-made lake, four hotels, an entertainment center with a 6000-seat arena, two golf courses, a casino, and several water rides and attractions. In 1996, Sol opened Mohegan Sun, a world-class gaming resort located in Connecticut. This 240-acre resort on the Thames River was developed after an agreement with the Mohegan Indian Nation. Sol Kerzner has since expanded his hotel and casino business in other countries such as Mexico, Dubai, Mauritius, and Maldives.

Here are some quick facts about Sol Kerzner:

South Africa’s Answer to Steve Wynn

Sol Kerzner, an accountant turned hotelier, has been competing with other American billionaires such as Steve Wynn. Kerzner is known for developing Sun City, which is one of the best holiday resorts in South Africa. On the other hand, Steve Wynn is known for operating Wynn Resorts, a company with high-end hotels and casinos across the world.

Both Kerzner and Steve Wynn made great achievements within a period of 10 years. For example, the Sun City project, which began in 1979, included 4 hotels, two golf courses, and a man-made lake. The project also had an entertainment center with a 6000-seat arena and several water rides. All this was done within 10 years.

Wynn Resorts Limited, on the other side, developed several properties between 2005-2016. The company’s first project was Wynn Las Vegas, which was opened on 28th April 2005. The company’s second project was Wynn Macau, which was launched on 5th September 2006. Encore, which is an extension of Wynn Macau, started construction on 28th April 2006. Encore at Wynn Macau was also opened on 21st April 2010. Later in 2016, Wynn Palace in Cotai was opened.

Did Sol Kerzner use the Casinos he Owned?

Sol Kerzner is the brain behind some of the largest gambling complexes in South Africa and across the world. For instance, in South Africa, he owned Sun City, which is the biggest hotel and casino in South Africa. This land-based casino offers a wide variety of offline casino games, such as slots and table games.

Sol Kerzner also owned other gambling resorts, such as the Mohegan Sun, Paradise Island Resort, and Atlantis Resort in the Bahamas. While Kerzner owned all these gaming resorts, he was never spotted playing at his casinos. In other words, the information about whether he gambled or not is not in the public domain. All we can say is that he was truly in love with the gambling business, and we can assume he gambled in private.

The Legacy Sol Kerzner Leaves Behind

Sol Kerzner was a man determined to do what many people thought was impossible. He will be remembered as a man who changed the South African hospitality and casino industry for the better. His legacy in South Africa includes high-end casinos spread across 8 provinces. The most popular resort that is synonymous with Sol Kerzner is the Sun City Resort, located in the North West Province. This resort has two Golf courses and a casino with hundreds of slot machines and over 40 table games.

If you are residing in the Western Cape, you can visit the GrandWest Resort and experience world-class entertainment. In the Eastern Cape province, you can play slot machines and table games at Boardwalk, located in Port Elizabeth. And if you are in Limpopo or Gauteng, you can play at Meropa and Carnivore City, respectively. Other resorts you can visit include Flamingo in the Northern Cape and Sibaya in KwaZulu Natal.

Sol Kerzner’s legacy goes beyond South Africa. For example, the Americans will remember him for opening the Mohegan Sun Resort in Connecticut. He will also be remembered for playing a big role in the development of Atlantis Resort in the Bahamas. Overall, we can say that the legacy of Sol Kerzner will live forever. Sun International is even determined to make it better by launching new resorts in SA and across the world.

Sunbet Has Brought Sun International Casino and Sportsbook Online

Sun International is evolving day by day. The company has now moved its gaming products online, which means you can play from the comfort of your home. The gaming products, which include online slot machines, table games, and sports, are offered through Sunbet. To play online, you only need to visit the Sunbet official website, sign-up for an account, and make a deposit.

Sunbet is 100% legal and legit in South Africa. In fact, the site is licensed and regulated by the Western Cape Gambling and Racing Board. You can, therefore, register an account and place bets with peace of mind. And remember, Sun International has excelled in land-based casinos, which also means they will soon become the leader in iGaming and Sportsbook.

Sol Kerzner Beyond South Africa

Sol Kerzner’s hotels and gaming resorts go beyond South Africa. In 1994, the South African Tycoon purchased Paradise Island Resort, a 1,500-room resort and casino located in the Bahamas. Sol re-developed this property, transforming it into a 2300-room resort and casino with a man-made marine habitat. In 1996, Sol Kerzner opened the Mohegan Sun Gaming Resort in partnership with the Mohegan Indian Nation. This 240-acre resort based in Connecticut was later expended through a $1 billion investment.

Kerzner also acquired other properties in different parts of the world, including Dubai, Mexico, Maldives, Mauritius, Morocco, and China. Sol Kerzner died on 21 March 2020. Furthermore, most of his properties are now managed by Sun International, One & Only Resorts, and Kerzner International.

Celebrity Gambler: Neymar’s Top Tips when using Casinos Online

Imagine losing $/€1 million in a two-hour online gaming session and then laughing about it! That’s what happened to the highest-paid footballer in the world. He was ruled out for the season because he sustained an ankle injury, and because of his injury, Brazilian Neymar da Silva Santos Junior spent more time online to keep busy. In March 2023, he was playing online casino games when he lost $/€1 million. His YouTube channel reports the incident with a mock Titanic theme playing in the background, a tune regularly used on social media during moments of sadness. On his YouTube channel, Neymar can be heard saying in Portuguese, “I’m going to put this on YouTube”, and he did. Neymar earns over $/€3 million per month with Paris Saint-Germain football club, not including the money he makes from endorsements. He’s known for being a fan of Online Casinos and poker games. While most of us would sob at losing $/€1 million, Neymar laughed after fake crying. In true Neymar fashion, the true story isn’t about how much he lost but about his reaction on YouTube. Join us as we discover who Neymar Jr. is, what Online Sportsbooks and casino games he enjoys, and more about this eccentric football player.

Neymar Jr’s statistics

According to Forbes Online, Neymar Jr. is rated number 4 on the Forbes List of the highest-paid athletes and number 7 on the Celebrity 100 list.

Quoted as saying that his goal was never to be famous but to achieve his dreams, Forbes reports how Neymar has impressed the world with his dedication. The son of mechanic Neymar da Silva Santos, and his mother Nadine Santos, Neymar was born in São Paulo, Brazil, on 5th February 1992. With humble beginnings, Neymar and his family lived in a small room at his grandmother’s house, but when he started becoming successful, the family moved into a small apartment. Wikipedia tells us that when Neymar was 15, he began earning $/€2000 a month, and by the time he turned 17, he was employed as a starter in Santos’ first team. His monthly salary had now grown to $/€5000. Six years later, he was promoted to the first team, and the following year he became the top scorer in the Copa do Brasil, ending the season with forty-two goals in sixty games.

By the time he was 19, Neymar won the 2011 South American Footballer of the Year Award. In 2013, Neymar signed a five-year contract with FC Barcelona which was worth $/€76 million, one of the most expensive soccer transfers in history. An interesting snippet of information we can share with you is that Neymar is also a fan of tattoos. In “O Jogo”, a leading Portuguese online newspaper, it was reported on 9th March 2016 that on a recent visit to Brazil for his sister Rafaella’s birthday, he took advantage of the time to get a new tattoo. While playing poker with friends, he asked Adão Rosa, his tattoo artist, to add a tattoo to his “God, bless me” tattoo with the words “protect me”. It must have worked because he seems to have been blessed with divine guidance and protection! Here are some more Neymar statistics:

What Neymar plays at casinos

Neymar revealed his passion for online gambling and sports betting when he started his Twitch channel on 23rd April 2020. On Twitch, he hosts video game streams, casino games, and poker matches and interacts with his fans about sports betting and other matters. On 14th April 2021, Neymar stepped into his new role as Cultural Ambassador with PokerStars Casino, where he would collaborate on a series of creative projects inspired by the world of culture, from art and design to music and more.

As Cultural Ambassador for PokerStars, Neymar was assigned to share exciting poker experiences with the PokerStars community by bringing his interests to the table. In one instance, Neymar provided the ultimate soundtrack for every type of poker game for his fans to enjoy while playing poker online.

One of the most revealing quotes by Neymar that would explain his massive rise into success, both in football and online sports betting and casinos, is: “I’ve always been a dreamer. I set my goals high, and I work hard to achieve them. That’s the only way to succeed, to be dedicated, committed, and willing to work.” His passion and dedication extend to his family, football and gambling.

Does Neymar only gamble at online casinos?

As Neymar stated many times in interviews, poker is one of the greatest games ever invented, and he intends to master the game to perfection. We aren’t sure when Neymar’s fascination with poker began, but he likes the game so much that he named his dog Poker, or so we’ve been told! You can watch Neymar’s advancement into poker games on Twitch streams. In 2015, Neymar was included in a $/€100,000 high-roller event at a poker circuit at the European Tour in Barcelona. A year later, he took his seat at the World Series of Poker $/€10,000 Limit Hold’em Championship in Paris, at the Las Vegas Casino.

Neymar’s partnership with Blaze Casino

In 2023, after Argentina’s title at the 2022 World Cup, Neymar entered into a four-year partnership with Blaze, as the Groups global ambassador, representing most countries, except for Brazil. Confirming the deal, Blaze CEO Nick van Gorsel praised Neymar Jr as being one of the best football players of his time, with hundreds of millions of followers.

He was also reported as saying that the tie-up would allow Blaze to bring players an entirely new gaming experience, especially for players in the Latin American market. Blaze Casino is one of the leading online casinos, operates with a Curacao gaming license, and offers hundreds of slots, table games and live dealer games. Neymar likes to experiment with different casino games, but recently, his channel showed him playing Crazy Time, a live casino game with an $/€8,960 stake across multiple numbers. With 2000 viewers watching his every move, he won $/€16,320.

Neymar the football star vs. the gambler star

Neymar Jr. is undoubtedly one of his generation’s most successful and talented football players. While there’s no denying that he has won impressive victories on the pitch, will his gambling revenue ever eclipse his sports revenue? His football future looks set to dominate sports for years to come, but regarding his gambling career, no one knows how it will play out. Online casinos and sports betting is very much a question of luck and chance, and while some games, like poker, have elements of skill built-in, gambling should always be seen as a hobby or, at the most, the ultimate way to enjoy online entertainment. It’s up to Neymar to keep a healthy balance between his two passions so that casino games, like poker, don’t overshadow his footballing achievements.

Celebrity Gambler: Brendon McCullum Punting Online Casinos in NZ

Brendon McCullum is a retired right-handed batter and the current coach of the England Cricket Test Team. McCullum represented New Zealand many times during his professional career and is known to hold the record for the fastest test century. Since he retired from all forms of cricket in August 2019, this Kiwi has made headlines again in 2023.

In 2023, Brendon McCullum became the brand ambassador for the offshore online sportsbook, 22Bet. He is also involved in a YouTube ad for the online sportsbook, where he markets the brand to New Zealand bettors. However, this brand was supposedly aggressively marketed as an NZ online casino, which caught the attention of the Department of Internal Affairs (DIA).

Brendon McCullum’s Statistics

Bet to Play, Bet to Win

Brendon McCullum for 22Bet

Brendon McCullums 22Bet Ad Campaign 

22Bet is an online betting platform that is operated by TechSolutions Group, a company that’s based in Cyprus. This online sportsbook is seen as India’s biggest betting site, and it also operates with a Curacao eGaming licence. As an offshore betting site, 22Bet offers its services to many countries worldwide. 

In January 2023, Brendon McCullum became an ambassador for 22Bet and went on to feature in their YouTube ad. In this ad, the former New Zealand captain is shown driving a red Ferrari in the desert before alighting from his car. He then goes up to show viewers that he doesn’t miss a game with 22Bet and continues with other promotional words. 

Well, there are a few things wrong here, as New Zealand has several gambling laws in place. However, 22Bet, a betting site that isn’t registered or regulated in New Zealand, circumvented them to advertise to Kiwis. 

Using the international platform YouTube, which isn’t hosted within the country, 22Bet went on to promote gambling to Kiwis. If this wasn’t bad enough, many Kiwis complained that the advertising was aggressive, and it was everywhere. Everyone faced the onslaught during that period, with each ad prompting them to register and collect welcome bonuses from 22Bet. 

This led to an outcry from many New Zealand residents, which prompted the Problem Gambling Foundation to file a complaint with the DIA. The Problem Gambling Foundation pointed out in their complaint that these ads were aggressive and painted 22Bet as a legal betting site.  

Additionally, they said that because these advertising came from fraudulent accounts, no particular demographic was intended for them. This implies that Kiwis of all ages, especially those who are Brendon McCullum supporters, were exposed to the advertisements. These unsuspecting individuals will be led to believe that, with the presence of Brendon McCullum, 22Bet should be legal in New Zealand. 

In response, the DIA said that their hands were tied as YouTube is a platform that’s not based in New Zealand. This allows it to circumvent New Zealand gambling laws regarding advertising. Unlike NZ online casinos, 22Bet is an offshore betting site, so its affairs cannot be controlled by New Zealand gambling laws. 

Does McCullum Like Casinos and Gambling? 

Although Brendon McCullum loves horse racing, this is not proof that he’s a gambler. When he was a professional players, McCullum had to abide by the anti-gambling regulations set forth regarding wagering on cricket matches. 

After retirement, he now works as the head coach for the England and Wales Cricket Board. This group also attests that they have rules regarding gambling and they always ensure that these rules are followed. 

Regarding his love for horse racing, it’s no surprise, as McCullum is one of the owners of Defibrillate. This is a thoroughbred racehorse that was born in 2014 and has earned $1,015,375 in its career. 

At one point in his life, McCallum not only owned horses but also bred them. He also owned a large stable where 14 horses were kept. 

Of course, things are different now, as he is only showing interest in horse racing. Nonetheless, apart from a few online rumours, there’s no proof that McCullum likes casinos and gambling. 

Why the 22Bet Advert Was Removed from YouTube 

Google pulled the 22Bet ad in April 2023 as it saw that the ad violated its policy on gambling. Google cited the fact that advertised services need to be properly licenced in the region where they’re operating. Since 22Bet is an offshore casino and is not licenced in New Zealand, their ad violates this rule. 

The tech giant also cited the fact that gambling ads must target countries where they are approved. The ad should never target minors, and it should also have a landing page displaying information regarding responsible gambling. Since this online sportsbook didn’t follow these rules, Google searched out the ads that violated their rules and removed them. 

Nonetheless, we can’t argue that the 22Bet gambling ad was very successful—too successful, in fact. This ad was visible to many Kiwis during the short period for which it was active. 

It became so well-known and overpromoted that this was the cause of its downfall. New Zealand residents couldn’t take it anymore and took to social media to complain. 

Many went to the social media handle of Brendon McCullum to make their displeasure known. Others made posts regarding the issue and called for its removal. 

Is Brendon McCullum Still Partnered with 22Bet? 

The 22Bet ad featuring their ambassador, Brendon McCullum, has become a major controversy these days. Although many complaints were made regarding it and the ad was eventually pulled down, this didn’t affect their partnership. Brendon McCullum is still an ambassador for 22Bet and will continue to be one for an undetermined period. 

22Bet released a statement saying that their decision to select McCullum as their ambassador had been speculated for a long time. It was discussed among many decision-makers within the betting company before a move was made. Their decision to bring the Kiwi hard hitter on board elevated the brand’s presence among his fans, bettors, and other sports enthusiasts. 

Although McCullum’s partnership with 22Bet got off to a rocky start, this was all due to over-advertising. This isn’t the first time a sports star has become an ambassador for a gambling company, and it won’t be the last. So, McCullum’s decision to become a betting organisation’s ambassador is nothing new. 

The  England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) also investigated the situation and see nothing wrong. They said that their anti-corruption code does not stop coaches or players from becoming ambassadors for gambling organisations. After going through a round of discussions with McCullum, the ECB has concluded that they won’t be taking any further action. 

So, if there is another chance for Brendon McCullum to become affiliated with online casinos in the future, he’ll take it. As long the betting platform doesn’t breach New Zealand gambling policies, everything will be okay. 

Celebrities that love using online casinos

The online casino industry and gambling, in general, have evolved over the years, and today, the general assumption of the industry has drastically changed. Gambling and online casinos used to be negatively portrayed in the media and society, and terms like taboo and addiction were always closely mentioned when referring to gambling.

However, the gambling industry has made successful inroads into changing the perspectives and opinions of people, and today there are hundreds of online casinos that are licensed and regulated. All licensed online casinos also actively promote responsible gambling, and plenty of responsible gaming tools and information are readily available for players to control the threat of addiction.

With the increased change in the perception of online casinos, we now see more engagement between people and online casinos. Celebrities are an example of this change, and various celebrities are open to sharing their involvement and success when playing at online casinos. Besides playing their favourite casino games, most celebrities also partner their brands with top online casino brands. The association between celebrity brands and online casinos has benefited both parties and below, we discuss the popularity of the relationship while covering the benefits to each party. Finally, we provide some insight into what features prospective players should look for in an online casino.

Why celebrities are happy to be associated with casinos

Celebrities are not fools; they are educated and intelligent enough to realize the importance of associating their brands with safe and secure online casinos. It would be disastrous for a celebrity to market an online casino that is not licensed, and the consequences could be catastrophic for their brand.

The reality of why online casinos are no longer considered taboo is primarily through the hard work of gambling regulators. Gambling regulators are international gambling boards that provide online casinos with operating licenses. It is difficult to obtain a gambling license, and the various gambling jurisdictions have processes to monitor the activities of online casinos constantly. Strict protocols are in place, and all online casinos must adhere to them or risk losing their gambling license. Some examples of licensing and regulatory requirements include providing players with a safe and secure casino site, ensuring all casino games are fair, all banking methods must be encrypted, and bonus terms and conditions must be clearly stated for all players to understand.

Once online casinos have been licensed, it is up to them to adhere to the regulations and ensure that the site is secure and operates fairly. All online casinos must use SSL encryption technology to protect players and their private information. The banking platform of the casino should also be encrypted and secure, so players can make deposits and withdrawals without the threat of their bank details getting leaked. All casino games should be regularly tested to ensure that the games are fair, and this is achieved through Random Number Generator (RNG) technology.

What do celebs get out of it?

As mentioned earlier, the perception of online casinos has changed, and they are no longer considered taboo. Online casinos have worked hard to market their products; one lucrative marketing tool has been celebrities. Celebrities promoting online casinos have provided various benefits to celebrities, with the obvious being monetary gains.

Online casinos pay celebrities large amounts to endorse their casinos and bring in new clientele. Celebrity promotions include running advertisements with celebrities promoting the casino, having celebrities publicly acknowledge the casino through social media posts, and conducting promotional activities with celebrities, such as inviting celebrities to events and launches.

Indirect celebrity promotions are also widely used in online casinos, usually covering affiliate links and referrals. Online casinos will run exclusive promotions that include the celebrity brand’s name, and any new players who register through this promotion will see the celebrity receiving a percentage of the profits made from the player deposits at the casino.

Celebrities are more than just casino salespeople. They are like any other online casino player and most actively play casino games. Not all celebrities are there to make a quick buck from promoting an online casino and then forget about it; today, most celebrities trust the casino brand and are happy to play the exciting casino games. Celebrities can gain new fans, such as casino players and poker enthusiasts, by associating with an online casino and playing games.

What do casinos get out of it?

The online casino industry is filled with thousands of players who know that playing at casinos is safe and secure. Unfortunately, to overcome the stigma of online gambling, casinos need to reach other individuals, notably those who don’t relate to online casinos. The best way they do this is with celebrities. By partnering with celebrity brands, the online casino becomes a part of the celebrity image and influence. Thus the fans and followers of the celebrity are introduced to the online casino industry. The online casino industry is highly competitive, and by associating with celebrities, casinos can improve their standing in the industry while also bringing in new players.

Brand awareness is vital in marketing, and through celebrity promotions, online casinos can reach a broader range of prospective players. Effective celebrity promotions will mention the licensing of the online casino and all the security features of the site, which boosts the public opinions of the online casino concerning player security and fairness of casino games. By generating new players, the casino can boost profits and increase player activity. Another benefit is better informing the public of the casino’s features and reducing the stigma of online casinos, gambling and addiction.

Can you trust these celebrity promotions?

Imagine this scenario; you are on social media, and a celebrity you follow has a new post encouraging all their followers to create an account at this new online casino. You get excited to try out the casino but are worried about what will happen after you register and make a deposit. Don’t stress; this is a common problem that many prospective online casino players have, and luckily, we have you covered, and below we discuss what you should look for in an online casino.

First, it is crucial that you make sure that the online casino is licensed; usually, you will find this information at the bottom of the casino’s site. After that, players should access the casino’s banking platform and navigate through the casino payment methods. An excellent online casino will have secure payment methods and fast withdrawal options. Today, all the rage are minimum deposit casinos, and you should check the bonuses and promotions banner of the casino to find the latest bonuses and promotions. Hopefully, these include minimum deposit bonuses.

Finally, we encourage prospective players to access independent casino reviews to find more information about online casinos and their features from trusted, unbiased and objective reviews. Our team at Minimum Deposit Casinos are an excellent example of an independent review site.

Can you get better signup bonuses at casinos?

Our skilled team at Minimum Deposit Casinos have worked tirelessly to negotiate the best casino deals for our readers. We have plenty of exclusive bonuses for our readers, including deposit bonuses, casino game bonuses, $/€1 deposit casino bonuses and free spins. Besides these great bonus offers, we also provide unbiased casino reviews of various global online casinos. Suppose you want information on an online casino and the latest industry news, or you are looking for exciting exclusive bonuses and promotions at the best online casinos. In that case, Minimum Deposit Casinos is the perfect place for you.

Celebrity Gamblers: Drake bets big at online casinos

Canadian songwriter-rapper Drake also made a name as an accomplished TV star, best known for his roles in Degrassi: The Next Generation. The multi-talented vocalist-songwriter initially rose to fame with Hotline Bling, One Dance and Take Care which turned into some of his biggest hits. Born to Dennis Graham, a drummer for Jerry Lee Lewis, his musically gifted family also includes his grandmother who used to babysit Aretha Franklin.

Drake released his first album in June 2010, Thank Me Later, which debuted at number 1 on both the Canadian and American album charts and later became a certified platinum release. In the wake of his success as an artist, his love of gambling at land-based and online casinos soon saw regular references to his name entering discussions about online gambling and sports betting.

Drake’s statistics

Does Drake only play at Stake Casino?

It was inevitable 🤑🤑🤑 Drake and @stake have come together 🤞🏽 I am going to be announcing a date for an upcoming live event where I play to win some real money and give it all to you because what’s better than sharing the love with my people 💴 stay tuned for details

Drake @champagnepapi March 2 2022

From an early age, Drake showed an interest in gambling, even way before he dreamt of becoming a famous rapper. Perhaps influenced by his father, a long-time sport bettor, once Drake became famous his favorite hangout apart from the studio was the casino. He was soon sighted at the high-roller tables in the company of other celebrities in Las Vegas and the Bahamas.

Evidence of his love for casinos is confirmed by Drake’s décor choices for his Toronto mansion, its interior is comparable to that of a Las Vegas hotel. His first birthday celebration at his new mansion also took-on a casino theme, while one of his biggest jewelry purchases was a Jacob & Co watch also sporting a miniature, yet fully functional roulette wheel on the dial as backdrop to the hands.

Drake Partners with Stake Casino

In 2022, the world-famous rapper announced his new partnering with a major crypto casino, Stake, after placing bets worth over $1 billion. His switch to online gambling sites coincided with COVID-19 pandemic restrictions and the temporary closing of Toronto’s Casinos. Drake’s gambling on sports ranges from UFC to basketball, the NFL, boxing, baseball, and football with additional betting action on F1 racing to help satisfy his need for speed.

Drake regularly posts his bets on Instagram that he placed on online roulette. This includes Bitcoin wagers worth $1.25 million. Speculated winnings on a single roulette wheel spin range from $354,000 up to around $7 million. He was also spotted enjoying live high-stakes online roulette on his laptop during the Toronto Raptors face-off at the Scotiabank Arena.

Stake Casino is incredibly popular with streamers on Twitch who gamble live, the main reason being the incredible selection of games and their acceptance of crypto deposits. Apart from speculations that Drake received a huge sum of money for his partnership, Stake is also known for offering massive deals to some of the other popular streamers.

News reports often report on Drake’s losses

Global ambassador for the Raptors since 2013, Drake wagered over $1 billion on casino bets and various sports events in a period of two months. Not shy to share his betting activities, Stake is normally tagged, or its logo shows up on all posts by the rapper which is gambling related. Drake is constantly in the news, and even referred to as a high-flying chart-topper with regards to his gambling habits.

News highlights: – In November 2022, a $2 million bet on Adesanya to win, resulted in a $220,000 win instead of a $2.9 million. Called a celebrity whale, Drake becomes one of the most in-demand gamblers by online casinos, with reports mentioning bets worth $200,000 per spin at Aria. Dropping over $250,000 on Charles Leclerc winning the Spanish Grand Prix, after the Monégasque racer lost power during the 27th lap which led his premature exit. Although Drake have reported cashouts worth over $2.6 million on parlay bets picking winners for the NBA and Stanley Cup playoffs.

The rapper walked away with a profit of $300,000 after staking $1.25 million on the Super Bowl, he banked around $1.5 million in Bitcoin, which could’ve been $700.000 more if Beckham Jr escaped injury. Early 2023 news reports cover Drake losing £335,000 on the Tommy Fury vs Jake Paul bet, a £837,000 World Cup final loss, and a UFC bet loss amounting to £1.7 million.

Drake Curse

An internet meme called the Drake curse became a commonly used term after athletes and sports teams faced poor results in matches following any interaction with the Canadian rapper. Tracing back as far as 2019, one of the earliest examples is Paul Pogba posing for a snap with Drake, only days later Manchester United got knocked out of the FA Cup by Wolves.

When the rapper poses for a photo with an athlete, or wears a team shirt, it has become a commonly held belief that the team will lose. The curse is said to be true as far back as 2014 when Kentucky lost against Wisconsin and Miami Heat got smashed 4-1 by San Antonia in the NBA finals. 2019, a shock defeat suffered by Anthony Joshua to Andy Ruiz Jr, and Man City losing as Serio Aguero missed a penalty in Champions League.

Drakes social presence

Drake fully harnesses the power of social media to connect with fans, announce album releases, as well as sharing his gambling and sports betting activities. Ranked first with over 46,212,641 million social conversations across Facebook, Twitter, forums and blogs, Drake nearly doubles that of Kanye West.

Drakes Instagram

Drake’s Instagram handle and nickname is Champagne Papi, which he stuck to since 2011. According to his statistics the average number of likes on posts such as new album releases, online casinos, or sports betting is 5.6k per post, with an average of 25+ comments on each post.

Drakes Twitch

Teaming up with, Ninja, one of the top streamers to play Fortnite, Drake breaks the streaming record on Twitch with more than 620k concurrent viewers. His second livestream on the StakeDrake channel peaks at more than 112,000 concurrent viewers.

Drakes YouTube

Drake’s YouTube channel, with 58 videos uploaded, shows an overall viewing of 14.3 billion. YouTube gambling streams include, Drake depositing $8 million with 327k views, Drake Won $2.7 million, $20 Million Roulette with Drake, and the most recent, his insane $18 million win on Roulette.

Why Drake partnered with Stake

Stake calls the partnership inevitable and adds that they share the same love for gambling, crypto, and like-minded fans. Drake’s massive following on social media brings the casino tons of exposure, as a logical result he signed a $100 million-per-year deal with Stake Casino, which by revenue, became the 7th largest gambling group according to the Financial Times.