Over the years, the online casino industry has seen remarkable growth, opening up investment opportunities for tech investors and venture capitalists while attracting high-profile personalities. This sector provides a chance for celebrities from all corners of the globe, including Hollywood actors and top athletes, to invest. Although online casinos have surged in popularity recently, their journey began in 1996 when the digital revolution was just taking off. At that time, many online casinos were primitive, offering only a handful of games. Today, the industry has expanded dramatically, showcasing its significant investment potential to celebrities worldwide.
Why Celebrities are Investing in iGaming
Celebrities have been engaging in investments for quite some time, often leveraging their fame and resources to explore various entrepreneurial ventures. From launching their own clothing lines and beauty products to investing in tech startups and real estate, many public figures have shown a keen interest in diversifying their income streams. This trend highlights their business acumen and their desire to establish legacies beyond their careers.
A key reason high-stakes stars invest their funds in various iGaming organisations is the substantial profit potential these companies provide. The gambling industry is vast and valued in the billions, allowing for astute investments and enabling investors to reap lucrative rewards. The growth of the iGaming sector has fostered a competitive landscape, with different companies presenting unique casino offers that yield individual successes for organisations within the industry.
Notable Celebrities Invested in the Industry
Michael Jordan
Michael Jordan is a former basketball player widely seen as one of the greatest ever to play the sport. Jordan’s playing career saw him win the prestigious MVP award 5 times, as well as 6 NBA Championships with the Chicago Bulls. Michael Jordan has become well-represented in the business world outside of the sport, having stakes in various industries. Michael Jordan had become a Nike representative with the Air Jordan brand, where he was the face of the business and led the designs and marketing. On his own back, Jordan has invested his funds into NASCAR and tequila brands, as well as a 65% share in NBA team the Charlotte Hornets.
Michael Jordan’s history with gambling is well represented, with documentaries involving various stories of the 6x MVP placing his stakes as a hobby. Whether that was betting on golf or the casino, Jordan had a drive for playing with a stake. This has ultimately led to his investment in iGaming businesses such as Sportradar, a sports organisation that collects data for bookmaking federations, as well as DraftKings, an American gambling corporation.
Arnold Schwarzenegger, Bruce Willis, and Sylvester Stallone
The Hollywood trio dominated the 90s in the movie industry, though one could never find these A-listers on the same set. Arnold was renowned for the Terminator franchise, Stallone had the Rocky franchise, and Willis had the iconic Die Hard franchise. Many movie fanatics worldwide begged to see the three icons work together on a project, though they would never have thought what project they would work on together.
Since they were all stars of great gratitude who could sell films independently, we had never seen them working on a set together until 2010. However, we did see them collaborate on a project in 1991 when the trio opened Planet Hollywood. In addition to the iconic trio, many other Hollywood actors participated in the venture, although Schwarzenegger, Stallone, and Willis remained the faces of Planet Hollywood. Planet Hollywood was originally launched as a restaurant chain that embraced the Hollywood theme. However, it was not long before the organisation expanded, introducing hotels that included casinos.
Jay-Z
It is no secret that the Brooklyn-based rapper has made a lucrative sum of money in the music industry, releasing his record label Roc Nation, as well as his success on the mic. Out of the hip-hop world, Jay-Z is no stranger to smart ventures that can boost his funds. One of his most lucrative endorsements is in the liquor industry with French champagne brand Armand de Brignac.
Unlike some A-list celebrities, Jay-Z is not well represented personally in the gambling industry; he just likes to make smart business ventures. In 2021, Jay-Z entered the online betting space with Fanatics, a gambling corporation that offers sportsbook and casino platforms. In addition, it has been reported that Jay-Z and Roc Nation have been attempting to qualify for a gaming license to open a casino in New York City.
George Clooney
George Clooney is an American actor known globally for his leading roles in some blockbuster titles such as Oceans Eleven and The Perfect Storm. George Clooney has achieved great success outside acting, signing endorsements with the leading coffee brand Nespresso. As well as the success Clooney experienced with this endorsement, he launched a tequila brand labelled Casamigos Tequila along with 2 other partners in 2014, which he sold for up to a billion dollars 3 years later!
George Clooney’s investments in the iGaming industry came in 2005 when he invested an undisclosed sum into a Las Vegas casino with ambitions to feature a casino, a spa resort, a health club, boutique shops, as well as upscale dining. Ultimately, the investment in the industry did not go as planned for Clooney, when it was cancelled just a year later.
