Online casinos have become an unexpected partner to the glittering world of fame and fortune. From niche trends with sports stars being the face of betting platforms to full-blown trends, A-list celebrities use their star power to promote casino brands. These are not just fancy campaign eye-catchers but powerful brand reputation tools that bring in many new players.
However, as casinos strive to appeal to more diverse audiences, household names like those on Hollywood red carpets and the stages of global music are joining in promoting these platforms. Here, we continue to follow the high stakes as the scripts and microphones are traded for roulette wheels as gambling industry figures join the conversion.
Mike Tyson
Boxing icon Mike Tyson has joined Rabona Casino as their brand ambassador, making the platform’s move to enter the online gaming world bold. Fast, ferocious, and, more than his personality, larger than life, Tyson’s deal with Rabona is the perfect pairing of power and entertainment.
‘I don’t mind living life through my own game,’ says the boxing legend, revealing he is passionate about bringing the same intensity he poured into the ring into the online gaming sphere – delivering a gamer experience that punches hard.
Rabona wants to be a leader in making legendary adrenaline-filled gaming moments for its audience, able to provide championship-level enjoyment now with Tyson on board and throughout the sport. Not only does this showcase the grand ambitions behind Rabona, but with Tyson’s star power, the two parties are making a deafening statement in the online casino space.
Paris Hilton
The famous socialite and media personality Paris Hilton has recently joined forces with Wow Vegas Casino, adding her star status and significant online presence to the fast-growing social casino brand. Hilton’s ability to reach millions of Instagram and Twitter followers is expected to improve the prospect of engagement with Wow Vegas greatly.
You could tell from her Instagram post about the casino, which she says, ‘is slaying with hundreds of fantastic slot games!‘ Her post garnered heavy attention, accumulating over 629 comments and a promotional video, strengthening her support of the brand.
More popular in the US lately are social casinos, such as Wow Vegas, that provide a gambling-inspired experience devoid of real money but using gold coins to play. Not only does the involvement of Hilton amplify Wow Vegas’s shine, but it also positions Wow Vegas as the brand to draw in a larger audience seeking a little more fun and a little more risk-free gaming experience.
Johnny Vegas
Comedian Johnny Vegas has recently made a splash in the gaming world by jumping on board with Leo Vegas Casino and helping the brand become even more known in the US. His bold and hilarious personality is well known, and his partnership has already seen the site surge in visitor numbers since their deal was announced in March 2023.
The Swedish-owned casino thinks he is an excellent fit as Leo Vegas is a fun brand to be associated with, as Leo Vegas is brash and unique as he is. The team has a vast buzz now, especially with a big TV advert set to hit screens anytime soon, Johnny.
His comedic touch would be expected to contribute a new one to their marketing work and stage the scene for Leo Vegas to become more prominent in the competitive online gaming scene.
Andrew Luck
One of the top US online casino brands has recruited Andrew Luck, former NFL quarterback, to represent its brand as the brand ambassador. Luck’s ‘rockstar’ status has attracted much attention from the platform, as has his incredible career with the Indianapolis Colts.
Following his involvement, the announcement naturally caused Bovada to explode in visitors and registrations. A deal that has gone undisclosed in value but is reportedly worth millions would only further this brand’s commitment to securing top-tier talent. With his reputation and massive appeal, luck has given Bovada an unrivaled position as one of the US’s most popular online gambling companies.
Neil Patrick Harris
Golden Nugget’s online casino games campaign has featured Neil Patrick Harris’ trademark charisma as the multi-talented actor and Broadway star. Attending Golden Nugget Online Casino’s first-ever cross-platform advertising campaign, Harris stars in two compelling 30-second spots that authentically portray the playfulness and elegance of Golden Nugget Online Casino.
His involvement is mainly well known — he is an actor in movies such as ‘Gone Girl’ and Broadway hit ‘Hedwig and the Angry Inch’ — and brings a cool thing to the iGaming space. The brand manages to be that clever with the campaign “Make Any Moment Golden” because the brand has an extensive offering of over 500 slots and table games now available in states like New Jersey, Michigan, Pennsylvania, and West Virginia. Golden Nugget’s role in online gaming is exciting and classy, and Harris’ endorsement shows that.
Lionel Messi
In the summer of 2023, Lionel Messi moved to Inter Miami in Major League Soccer and signed as a Hard Rock International Gaming Corporation brand ambassador. Hard Rock’s realization that the partnership with Messi perfectly married the brand’s commitment to raising its profile with Messi’s unparalleled international pull is a prime example of a go-to-market strategy.
Today, his partnership with Hard Rock has elevated its national exposure and increased casino registrations, demonstrating the meritorious effects of such a prestigious liaison. Hard Rock has ensured itself a place as a leading light in the gaming world by aligning itself with one of the most charismatic athletes in history while tapping into Messi’s star power to lure a wider public.
Charles Barkley
In late 2020, FanDuel struck gold by hiring Charles Barkley as an original ‘Dream Team’ member to be their brand ambassador, a key turning point in the company as it seeks to transition from an industry outsider to a gambling giant. FanDuel has relied on his charismatic persona in marketing campaigns to help establish an enhanced brand presence in a fiercely competitive online casino market.
Barkley is referred to as an ‘American sports icon, television legend, and gaming royalty’ by former Chief Marketing Officer Mike Raffensperger, who had extreme excitement about the partnership. By bringing their personality bigger than life, Barkley has done more than amplify FanDuel’s voice; it made the brand stand out as unique in a crowd through a distinctive flair that attracts the audiences.