Andrew Tate Sparks Outrage After New Crypto Casino Partnership
Controversial influencer Andrew Tate has been linked to a promotional arrangement with crypto-focused online casino Duel.com, provoking immediate backlash across the sector.
LISTEN TO THIS ARTICLE:In early November, Tate began sharing promotional material that tied him to Duel.com, without an explicit formal announcement. On Nov. 7, he posted an affiliate link to his millions of followers; short training clips and a teaser showing the Duel logo circulated across social platforms as Tate prepared for a Misfits Boxing match with Chase DeMoor scheduled for Dec. 20. In several videos, Tate wore a black T-shirt bearing Duel’s branding, and affiliate-marketing channels soon amplified the content.
The move prompted swift criticism from industry observers and responsible-gambling advocates. Many questioned why a gambling operator would attach itself to a public figure who is the subject of serious criminal allegations in Romania. Andrew Tate and his brother Tristan are awaiting trial on charges that include human trafficking, rape and money laundering; the brothers have denied the accusations and say they are victims of a political conspiracy.
For Duel, the appeal is obvious: Tate’s global profile and large online audience offer rapid visibility in an increasingly crowded market. Duel’s marketing tone has been deliberately provocative – the operator has publicly described itself with coarse, attention-grabbing language – and it is licensed in the Autonomous Island of Anjouan, a jurisdiction in the Comoros archipelago known for its limited regulatory oversight.
Industry analysts warned that the short-term publicity could come at the cost of credibility. “Linking a gambling brand to a polarising personality with unresolved criminal allegations is a reputational risk”, said Sarah Miles, senior analyst at iGaming Insights. “Operators licensed offshore can use influencer reach to scale quickly, but regulators and public-health groups are likely to scrutinise those ties much more closely.”
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Regulatory Scrutiny and Next Steps
Regulators in established markets have already taken a tougher stance on offshore operators and influencer-led promotions. Responsible-gambling charities and research bodies have highlighted the risk that celebrity endorsements – particularly those that reach young or vulnerable audiences – can normalise gambling behaviour.
When influencers with a young and impressionable following promote gambling, the potential for increased harm is real. Regulatory frameworks need to catch up with digital marketing practices, and platforms hosting these adverts should apply consistent age-gating and disclosure rules.”
Duel’s public channels briefly re-shared Tate’s posts after the casino’s account was reactivated following a suspension in October, but the operator has not published a detailed statement about the partnership. A spokesperson for Tate did not provide a comment beyond the affiliate post, and the exact commercial terms between the parties remain unclear.
Some of Tate’s critics pointed to his past statements. In 2022, he said he had converted to Islam and described gambling as haram, advising followers to avoid casinos. That apparent contradiction – publicly denouncing gambling while appearing to monetise it – has been seized upon by detractors, and some observers have speculated that the tie-up could be a step toward Tate launching a gambling-related venture of his own.
The coming weeks are likely to determine how regulators and platforms respond. If the promotional activity escalates ahead of the Dec. 20 fight, expect intensified scrutiny from consumer-protection groups and potentially from national regulators in jurisdictions where Duel markets its product. For now, the alliance underscores the tensions between rapid customer acquisition through influencer marketing and growing calls for tighter oversight of online gambling promotion.
Expert Note: Industry stakeholders will be watching for formal disclosures about the nature of the agreement and any regulatory inquiries. Observers say clearer advertising transparency, stronger age-verification controls and more explicit operator statements would help address immediate concerns and reduce reputational fallout.
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