At a time when sports stars and gambling brands are more closely linked than ever, one of the NBA's brightest young players has drawn a hard line. San Antonio Spurs center Victor Wembanyama said during training camp that he would never endorse a sports betting or gambling platform. Asked about a possible celebrity sponsorship, he replied "Absolutely not," adding that he "will never do that." The comments, reported by Card Player on October 5, 2026, land in the middle of a debate about athlete marketing, prediction markets, and betting scandals, and they offer a revealing contrast with what many of his peers are doing.
What Wembanyama Said
Wembanyama, who is 22, a two-time All-Star, and the 2026 Defensive Player of the Year, explained that he now judges sponsorships by whether they fit his values. Money was once a factor, he said, but it no longer is. He has turned down gaming deals that would have paid more than some of his current sponsors. He noted that athletes "earn millions and millions" and said his greatest strength is inspiring people in a positive way.
He also said it is "very sad to see some players promote it" and that others "do whatever they want, but without me." The remarks are notable because he did not simply decline; he criticized the practice, although in measured terms.
The Athletes on the Other Side
Wembanyama's stance stands out because so many stars have gone the other way. According to the Card Player report, LeBron James signed with DraftKings to make football picks in 2024 and recently became a Polymarket representative. Giannis Antetokounmpo and Kevin Durant are both investors in Kalshi. Durant also has a FanDuel partnership through his media company, Boardroom, and when asked about it said he "didn't think about" the morality of a gambling deal. Nikola Jokic became the first ambassador for European sportsbook Superbet in 2023.
The pattern extends beyond basketball. Bryson DeChambeau signed a multi-year DraftKings deal in 2020, NASCAR driver Austin Dillon drives a BetMGM-sponsored car, and Cristiano Ronaldo and Neymar Jr. have represented PokerStars and other betting platforms. Conor McGregor has a Polymarket deal, and WWE wrestlers Drew McIntyre and Tiffany Stratton have represented Chumba Casino. Former athletes who have worked with operators include Michael Jordan, who took a DraftKings role in 2020, plus Charles Barkley, Shaquille O'Neal, Allen Iverson, Kevin Garnett, Peyton and Eli Manning, Tom Brady, Rob Gronkowski, Jerry Rice, Barry Sanders, and Wayne Gretzky, who signed with BetMGM in 2021.
In Ontario, Canada, athletes may only present responsible gaming messaging. Connor McDavid partnered with BetMGM for such ads in December, and Derek Jeter appeared in a BetMGM Canada responsible gaming campaign in 2025. Our Canadian readers can compare local options on our Canada poker sites page.
Poker's Own Endorsement History
Poker has always relied on celebrity marketing. The Ronaldo and Neymar examples mentioned above involve PokerStars, one of the largest poker brands. Online poker rooms also sponsor professional players, sign ambassadors, and run high-profile promotions. Recent examples on our site include the PokerStars Spooky Season $1 million finale and the PokerNews Online Championship on 888poker.
But poker is structurally different from sports betting. In poker you play against other people, skill plays a significant role, and the operator earns rake rather than profiting from your losses. That difference is one reason many players view poker sponsorships more positively than sportsbook or casino endorsements, though responsible gambling concerns still apply. Our poker networks page explains how rooms operate.
Betting Scandals Raise the Stakes
Card Player links the rise of athlete deals to recent scandals. Federal authorities reportedly arrested numerous suspects in October over an alleged sports rigging scheme involving former Hornets and Celtics guard Terry Rozier and former NBA journeyman and Cavaliers assistant coach Damon Jones. In 2024, former Raptors forward Jontay Porter pleaded guilty in federal court to conspiracy to commit wire fraud, and he received a lifetime NBA ban for betting on games.
The NBA prohibits players and coaches from publicly discussing betting on league games, though that rule does not extend to other leagues. These scandals show how integrity risks grow alongside the betting market. They also help explain why a star in a league facing such cases might decide that the reputational risk outweighs the paycheck.
Prediction Markets Complicate the Picture
The endorsement landscape now includes prediction markets, which operate under different regulatory arguments from traditional sportsbooks. James's Polymarket role and the Kalshi investments by Antetokounmpo and Durant show how quickly the sector is courting celebrities. At the same time, states are pushing back; our coverage of Ohio's cease-and-desist letters shows regulators targeting these companies directly. For a broader view, see our analysis of prediction markets challenging sportsbooks.
Responsible Gambling and Marketing
Concerns about marketing are also driving litigation. A recent federal class action accuses DraftKings of using AI to target problem gamblers, which the company denies; we examined it in our DraftKings AI lawsuit explainer. Together, these stories suggest that endorsement deals carry growing legal and reputational exposure for both brands and ambassadors.
A star athlete's endorsement can lend a gambling product trust and visibility, especially among young fans. That influence is exactly why critics want tighter rules and why some athletes, like Wembanyama, choose to stay out.
What It Means for Players and Bettors
If you bet or play online, endorsements should not be your guide. A famous face does not make a site safe, licensed, or fair. Here are practical steps.
Check the license. Before depositing, verify that a site is licensed and accepts players from your location. Our safe poker sites guide explains the key checks, and our sportsbooks page covers sports betting options.
Read independent reviews. Our reviews of BetOnline, TigerGaming, and Americas Cardroom look at payments, software, and customer support, while our sportsbook reviews of BetOnline Sportsbook and SportsBetting.ag cover betting lines and limits.
Understand the offer. Bonuses and promotions are marketing tools. Our bonus page and rakeback guide show how to compare real value.
Set limits. Use deposit limits, time limits, and a clear budget. Our bankroll management guide explains how to separate gambling money from everyday expenses.
Watch your emotions. Chasing losses is the fastest route to trouble; see our entry on tilt.
Why Wembanyama's Stance Matters
Wembanyama's refusal is mostly symbolic, but symbols matter. As a young star with a long career ahead, his decisions could influence how fans and fellow athletes think about gambling sponsorships. The industry will continue to sign ambassadors, particularly as prediction markets and sportsbooks compete for attention. Still, a visible no from a player of his caliber shows that money is not the only factor in these decisions.
The Bottom Line
The gap between Wembanyama and his peers captures a real division in sports. On one side are athletes who see betting and prediction platforms as legitimate partners and investments. On the other are those who worry about the message to fans, especially young ones. Betting scandals, regulatory fights, and lawsuits are likely to keep the issue in the headlines. For players and bettors, the best response is the same regardless of who is endorsing what: verify the license, understand the terms, and keep control of your bankroll.