In recent years, the illegal online betting market targeting Turkiye has evolved into a multi-million-dollar industry, not only through competitive odds and a wide range of games but also via highly aggressive and sophisticated marketing campaigns. While Turkiye enforces strict regulations allowing only state-licensed platforms, unlicensed operators—banned within the country—continue to exploit legal loopholes abroad to gain exposure among Turkish audiences.
These operators invest heavily in professional advertising, collaborating with global celebrities, former football stars, and influencers to build trust and expand their reach. From polished promotional videos to strategic ambassador partnerships, these campaigns are designed to bypass regulatory barriers and capture the attention of millions.
This phenomenon highlights the glaring disparity between Turkiye’s restrictive betting laws and the globalized nature of online gambling, where unlicensed platforms leverage international markets to advertise back into Turkiye.
The involvement of high-profile figures such as Ronaldinho, Roberto Carlos, and Wesley Sneijder—many of whom have strong ties to Turkish football—demonstrates the significant financial clout of these operators. In this article, we take a closer look at the most notable celebrity endorsements tied to illegal betting sites targeting the Turkish market, revealing the scale and impact of these strategies on the local gambling landscape.
Mobilbahis – Ronaldinho’s High-Profile Launch in Turkiye
Mobilbahis made a significant impact in the Turkiye market by signing Brazilian football legend Ronaldinho as their brand ambassador, capturing widespread attention.
-
Ronaldinho: Collaborated in extensive promotional campaigns, including exclusive social media videos, interviews, and special giveaways, significantly boosting Mobilbahis’s visibility and brand appeal.
Betwinner – Roberto Carlos as a Long-Term Brand Ambassador
Betwinner has secured Brazilian football legend Roberto Carlos as one of its prominent brand ambassadors, building on his prior partnerships in the betting sector.
-
Roberto Carlos: Initially partnered with Tempobet and Superbahis, but his current collaboration with Betwinner stands out for its depth, involving promotional campaigns, social media content, and interactive user events where Carlos delivers personal messages and insights.
Jetbahis – Wesley Sneijder’s Entry into the Ambassadorial Scene
Jetbahis was the first illegal betting platform to feature Dutch football icon Wesley Sneijder as its brand ambassador, marking the beginning of his extensive involvement in the sector.
-
Wesley Sneijder: Launched his ambassadorial role with Jetbahis, capturing attention among Turkish football fans, particularly Galatasaray supporters, and later expanded to other platforms like K8, Hititbet, and Betorder, contributing match predictions and analysis content.
Bets10 – Diverse Collaborations with Football Legends
Bets10 has a history of aligning with renowned football figures to strengthen its brand.
-
Alex de Souza: Served as a brand ambassador, providing match predictions and engaging with fans.
-
Pierre van Hooijdonk, Mario Jardel, Oscar Cordoba: Collaborated in various campaigns, contributing to Bets10’s dynamic marketing approach.
Superbahis – Strategic Partnerships with Football Icons
Superbahis enhanced its brand image by associating with notable football personalities.
-
Daniel Amokachi, Deivid de Souza, Graeme Souness: Engaged as brand ambassadors, participating in campaigns to elevate Superbahis’s profile.
Sekabet – Lukas Podolski’s Strategic Alliance
Sekabet enlisted German footballer Lukas Podolski as a brand ambassador, aiming to enhance its market position.
-
Lukas Podolski: Entered a multi-year partnership, participating in campaigns to boost Sekabet’s visibility.
Artemisbet – Pascal Nouma’s Early Involvement
Artemisbet was among the pioneers in leveraging celebrity partnerships.
-
Pascal Nouma: Collaborated during the EURO 2016 period, sharing match predictions and engaging with users.
Vdcasino – Diego Lugano’s Brief Stint as Brand Ambassador
Vdcasino secured one of its most notable brand ambassador deals with Diego Lugano, leveraging his popularity in Turkiye due to his time at Fenerbahçe.
-
Diego Lugano: Featured in various promotional activities including interviews, personalized messages, and football analyses, though the partnership ended after about a year, highlighting how some former players view such roles as short-term opportunities.
Youwin – Nuri Alço and the “Cicişler” Campaign
Youwin’s marketing strategy included collaborations with entertainment figures.
-
Nuri Alço, Esra and Ceyda Ersoy (“Cicişler”): Famous actor Alço and celebrity girls Cicişler featured in campaigns that combined humor and appeal to attract users.
Marsbet – Mustafa Topaloğlu’s Memorable Advertisement
Marsbet’s advertising efforts included a notable campaign with a unique theme.
-
Mustafa Topaloğlu: Famous Turkish singer starred in a Mars-themed advertisement, aiming to create a lasting impression.
Betboo – Unconventional Ambassador Choices
Betboo took a distinctive route by partnering with figures outside the traditional sports realm.
-
Johnny Sins, Cherie Deville: Adult film stars featured in Betboo’s promotional content, aiming to capture a unique market segment.
Celebrity Endorsements Reveal the Ineffectiveness of Betting Bans in Turkiye
Despite strict regulations on betting in Turkiye, illegal betting platforms continue to thrive, leveraging high-profile celebrity endorsements and sophisticated digital marketing strategies to bypass legal barriers. These platforms are not limited by traditional advertising channels; instead, they skillfully exploit social media, YouTube, and other online outlets to reach large audiences, making regulatory enforcement increasingly challenging.
The involvement of globally recognized athletes—many with strong ties to Turkiye—such as Wesley Sneijder, Roberto Carlos, and Diego Lugano, highlights the sector’s appeal. Despite their connections to Turkish football, these stars do not hesitate to align with illegal betting sites, driven by lucrative financial incentives. This trend underscores how celebrity endorsements significantly enhance the credibility and allure of these platforms among potential users.
For many consumers, seeing trusted sports figures promoting a site generates a false sense of security. These promotional campaigns, often entertaining and persuasive, lead users away from legal and regulated platforms, funneling them toward illegal operations. The influence of these celebrity-driven marketing strategies extends beyond visibility; they shape consumer perceptions and behaviors, normalizing engagement with unlicensed operators.
Ultimately, the persistence and adaptability of illegal betting sites, bolstered by celebrity ambassadors, expose the limitations of Turkiye’s prohibition-based approach. No matter how stringent the bans, these endorsements enable unauthorized platforms to expand their reach and legitimacy, fueling a cycle that is difficult to break. If Turkiye’s betting market were liberalized, these significant advertising budgets could instead support local clubs and retired Turkish athletes, ensuring that these revenues contribute to the domestic economy rather than flowing abroad.