Eden Hazard Becomes Global Ambassador for Stake

Crypto casino platform Stake has announced that former Chelsea and Real Madrid player, Eden Hazard, has joined the company as a global ambassador.

Hazard stated, “Football has provided me with countless cherished moments, from winning domestic and European titles to captaining my country and forging many friendships. In this new phase, I am eager to connect with fans in fresh and meaningful ways, sharing my enthusiasm, excitement, and the sheer enjoyment of football alongside Stake.”

In a press release announcing the collaboration, Stake highlighted Hazard’s extensive social media following, which he will leverage to promote the brand. He boasts 27 million followers on Instagram, where he shared a video wearing a Stake jersey.

The partnership has not been met with universal approval, as many fans expressed disappointment at the player endorsing a controversial gambling company.

Hazard’s Instagram profile indicates that the platform is not accessible from Spain. It is also prohibited in the UK and France, countries where the midfielder previously played for Chelsea and Lille, as well as in his native Belgium. Other restricted regions include Australia, the home country of the company’s founders, Ed Craven and Bijan Tehrani.

Beyond his popularity in Europe, Stake noted Hazard’s significant fanbase in Asia, including 3.6 million followers on the Chinese social media platform Weibo. Notably, Stake is also banned in China, where all forms of gambling are illegal.

Stake Ending Presence in Premier League

Despite being prohibited in the UK, Stake currently sponsors Premier League team Everton FC, with its logo featured on the club’s shirts since 2022. One fan humorously commented that seeing Hazard in a blue shirt with Stake emblazoned across it made him think the player had come out of retirement to join the club.

However, this current season will mark the end of that sponsorship deal, as the league has implemented a ban on teams displaying gambling companies on the front of their shirts.

While clubs can still feature betting sponsors on their shirt sleeves, the UK government has stated that unlicensed platforms, such as Stake, will not be permitted to sponsor clubs in the future.

Stake Promoters Face Backlash

Hazard joins a considerable number of well-known figures who have endorsed Stake, including fellow footballers Patrice Evra, Sergio Aguero, and Iker Casillas.

Casillas joined the platform in December, sharing a video of himself playing roulette on the site, despite it being banned in his home country, Spain.

Some fans reacted to the video, commenting, “It’s a disgrace that a legend like you lures people into gambling. As if you need that money. Shame on you.”

Perhaps Stake’s most prominent ambassador is Drake, who frequently livestreams gambling sessions on the platform. Despite a public disagreement with the owners, he continues to promote the company online. Fans have also urged him to sever ties with the company.

Furthermore, along with fellow streamer Adin Ross, Drake has been named in lawsuits against Stake, alleging that his active promotion of the company encourages illegal gambling. He has also been accused of using the partnership to artificially boost his Spotify play counts.

It remains uncertain whether Hazard will engage with Stake to the same extent as Drake, who has placed numerous high-value sports bets. Recent significant losses, including a $1 million wager on the Patriots during the Super Bowl, have prompted him to shift his focus more towards casino gaming.

It is more probable that the football stars will be featured in promotional campaigns leading up to the World Cup, scheduled to take place in North America later this year. An estimated $150 billion in wagers is anticipated globally for the event.