Eden Hazard becomes the face of Stake casino ahead of the 2026 World Cup

Editorial note: This article describes an international sponsorship deal. Stake is not licensed to advertise or accept wagers from Ontario residents under the AGCO framework, and CasinosInCanada does not recommend any unlicensed operator to Canadian players. 19+. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, contact ConnexOntario at 1-866-531-2600.

Famous Belgian footballer Eden Hazard, who once shined for Chelsea F.C. and Real Madrid CF, is returning to the global media spotlight. Ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, which will take place in North America, the former captain of the Belgium national team has signed a major contract. He is now the global ambassador for the well-known online casino and bookmaker Stake.

After hanging up his boots in the autumn of 2023, Hazard has not lost his enormous popularity: more than 58 million loyal fans follow his life on social media. This massive audience reach became a key factor for Stake as the company prepares for large-scale marketing campaigns connected to the upcoming World Cup.

However, this high-profile contract comes at a time when the betting company itself is facing serious challenges. Stake is investing heavily in sports marketing: the brand serves as the title sponsor of Everton F.C. in the Premier League, operates its own team in Formula One, and collaborates closely with the Ultimate Fighting Championship. Yet the company's aggressive expansion is running into strict regulatory barriers.

According to public statements by the UK Gambling Commission and reporting in the British trade press, Stake.com no longer holds a licence to operate in the United Kingdom. The Premier League sponsorship is also under regulatory scrutiny. The UK Department for Culture, Media and Sport has consulted publicly on legislation that could restrict sports clubs from carrying advertising for unlicensed bookmakers. Hazard is a Belgian citizen; Stake.com is not licensed by the Belgian Gaming Commission for the Belgian market.