Online gambling site Betr announced a deep relationship with the NBA’s Lonzo Ball and his brother LiAngelo Ball.
The Ball brothers invested in Betr, the Jake Paul-backed sports betting platform. As part of the deal, the Ball brothers will move their podcast to the sports betting site’s media ecosystem. The podcast will air 40 episodes annually.
Lonzo plays for the NBA’s Cleveland Cavaliers, while LiAngelo plays professionally in Mexico.
The Balls are the latest celebrities to endorse a U.S. online gambling product. Celebrity endorsement of gambling can contribute to harm and addiction, with risks higher for young people.
Their investment comes at a risky time for the U.S. sports betting sector. Sports betting addiction is growing, and there are efforts for federal intervention to protect consumers.
Lonzo Ball Loves the Betr App
“What Betr is doing with its gaming products is just as impressive, simple, fun, and built for fans like us, and we’re proud to be part of that growth,” the Ball brothers said in a press release. “Betr Picks is the best fantasy pick’em app on the market.”
Betr Picks offers gambling in 33 states plus Washington, D.C.
It’s unclear if Lonzo Ball has used Betr’s online gambling product. NBA players can wager on sports but not on the NBA.
“As part of the multi-faceted partnership, the Ball brothers will also become equity partners in Betr, deepening their commitment to the company’s growth,” the company release added.
Mike Denevi, Head of Media at Betr, called the company “the most disruptive and innovative brand” in sports gambling. That’s a dubious claim considering the growth of prediction betting sites, such as Kalshi and Polymarket.
According to Betr, it has over 7.3 million social media followers, which have generated 4 billion impressions and 209 million engagements since 2022.
Celebrity Gambling Endorsements Growing
Other problematic celebrity relationships with U.S.-facing online gambling products include:
- LeBron James and DraftKings
- Derek Jeter and BetMGM
- Saquon Barkley and Polymarket
- Mike Tyson and Hard Rock Bet
- Ryan Seacrest and Chumba Casino
- Rob Gronkowski and FanDuel
- Kevin Hart and DraftKings
- Jamie Foxx and BetMGM
- The Manning family and Caesars
Celebrity gambling endorsements are dangerous because they can normalize a habit-forming betting product and exploit parasocial trust.
Fame lends a false sense of credibility, making products appear safe and even glamorous.
For an active NBA player like Lonzo Ball, endorsing the Betr gambling brand comes with long-term reputational risk.
Discover more from GamblingHarm.org
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
