Cristiano Ronaldo is arguably Portugal’s most famous player ever. He has long had links to the sports betting and casino industry.
Portuguese football has long worked alongside sports betting and casino companies. The league and many of its biggest teams have sponsors in the sector. Its stars also have close links to gambling, and none as much as the legend that is Cristiano Ronaldo. Over his tenure, both at club and country levels, he has used this to fund his many businesses in and outside sport.
Ronaldo’s Casino Links
Outside of his businesses and wages, Ronaldo has made a lot from sponsorship and brand collaborations. This began in 2015, when he became the ambassador for a global poker brand. This was an astute move, as his discipline and drive to win were a great fit for those who wanted to excel in the pursuit.
This came just as online casinos, betting, and poker were gaining traction. Smartphones had now allowed these to be extremely enjoyable, and apps and payment methods were making them easier to access. Now available in many locations, [BonusFinder Canada has listed a lot of them], ranked by the best bonuses and customer services.
Aside from this, he has appeared in promotions and ads for a range of these casinos and sportsbooks. He is often the face of many introductory offers and has advertised VIP schemes with his air of luxury and exclusivity.
The Career and Businesses of Ronaldo
Ronaldo began his career with Sporting CP. However, it was not long before he transferred to the legendary Manchester United under the tutelage of Alex Ferguson. Here, he won consecutive Premier League titles, the Champions League, and the FIFA World Club Cup. He then moved to Real Madrid in the most expensive transfer in history, for a tune of €94 million. Following this was a move to Juventus, back to Manchester United, and finally to the Saudi team Al-Nassr.
Today, Ronaldo is rumored to be worth over $1.4 billion. This has not just come from his wages on the pitch. He has used his wealth to invest in a wide range of other business ventures. At the head of the table sits CR7, his lifestyle brand. This encompasses clothing, footwear, and related items like cologne.
An offshoot of this is a range of hotels and hospitality ventures that CR7 has created in conjunction with Pestana. Originally in Funchal, then expanding to Lisbon, there are now several of these around the world. They aim to cater to young travellers and fans of sport visiting games and events.
Naturally, a range of gyms and fitness buildings was a natural expansion. He now has a range of these under the CR7 brand across Portugal. Added to this is his investment in the sport of Padel, for which he built a 5 million euros complex. He also has stakes in other businesses ranging from medical clinics to movie studios.
The Potential of Football Slots
Surprisingly, despite these links with the gambling sector, Ronaldo has yet to lend his license to any slot games. This has become extremely popular for sports stars, especially those reaching the end of their careers. Frankie Dettori, champion jockey, has his own slot, as does ex-cricket legend Brian Lara. Even major leagues such as the NFL have begun to license their graphics to slot games.
The slot game sector is projected to reach $13.4 billion by 2030. They make more money globally than all other casino games combined, showing just how strong their appeal is. North America is the leading revenue generator for slots, though Australia also comes close and has one slot machine for every 114 citizens.
There is also a range of slot games themed around football, though none of them are tied to actual players. One of the most popular is Strike Goes Wild. It has all the football graphics you would expect, with a pitch, net, and plenty of boots and balls. Played out on five reels, one nice thing is that it has 25 paylines, giving you plenty of different ways to win. It is also compatible with mobile devices.
Another is Football Star, developed by veteran Microgaming. As a result, this provides 243 different ways to win. This is due to the inclusion of stacked wild symbols and a rolling reels mechanism. Added to this are supercharged free spins, meaning games can go from quite sedate to crazy in an instant, as wins trigger other bonus prizes.
Ronaldo will not stop his business ventures any time soon. Though he selects his collaborations carefully, it seems likely that further work with sportsbooks and casino operators is likely. The sector is still growing, though this may plateau over the coming years. As it expands into new markets, well-known faces such as his will become more valuable.
