Famous football player Neymar Jr’s recent partnership with Blaze, a Curacao-licensed casino and sports betting operator in Latin America, has sparked controversy among some members of the public. The deal, which was announced late last year, will see Neymar live-streaming casino games on his Twitch channel, which has over 2.1 million followers, on a monthly basis. His first Blaze stream took place on Saturday, January 21, and fans can expect to see much more of the athlete in the coming years, as the contract with Blaze is set to last for four years.
This is not the first time Neymar has partnered with a gambling company, having previously signed contracts with Poker Stars and other gaming companies. The partnership between Neymar and Blaze is a strategic move for both parties.
Neymar, who is considered one of the most influential football players in the world, will bring his immense following and popularity to Blaze, helping to further increase the brand’s reach and visibility in the Latin American market. On the other hand, Blaze will benefit from Neymar’s endorsement, as his fans will be exposed to the company’s products and services.
One of the main concerns raised by critics is the fact that many of Neymar’s fans are young people who may be exposed to gambling through his streams. Critics argue that allowing a sports figure with such a large and impressionable young fan base to promote gambling could be seen as irresponsible and could contribute to the normalization of gambling among young people.
Some experts in the field of gambling addiction also warn that live-streaming casino games can be particularly addictive and that it may be easy for young people to get caught up in the excitement and start spending money they don’t have. Neymar’s partnership with Blaze has also been criticized by some in the sports community, who argue that it is not appropriate for a professional athlete to be promoting gambling.
On the other hand, supporters of the partnership argue that Neymar is a grown adult who is entitled to make his own choices and that the deal is a mutually beneficial arrangement between the football player and the casino operator.
Blaze also released a statement saying that they are committed to responsible gambling and that they have implemented measures to ensure that only those of legal gambling age are able to access the site.
Though it remains to be seen, the timing may not be on Neymar’s side, with Twitch recently having banned several off-shore operators due to irresponsible gambling and shady marketing practices.
