The Belgian Gambling Commission is looking into Eden Hazard’s ambassador deal with blacklisted operator Stake
Former Chelsea football player, Eden Hazard, is under investigation for his recent partnership with sports betting firm Stake.
The Belgian Gaming Commission has opened an investigation into the former player because Stake is illegal gaming operator in Belgium, and is blacklisted by regulators, according to local news site Het Laatste Nieuws.
It is not yet clear what type of content will come from the new brand ambassador, but any campaigns that might encourage Belgian nationals to participate in gambling with Stake could see Hazard face an administrative fine over over €700,000 or even legal prosecution – given that the site does not have a valid license to operate in the country.
Advertising illegal gambling services is prohibited in Belgium. A spokesperson for the Belgian Gambling Commission told Affiliate Leaders: “I can confirm that the Belgian Gaming Commission has launched an investigation to determine whether Eden Hazard is in breach of Belgian gaming legislation by advertising Stake on his Instagram page.”
“If this is the case, we will initially issue a formal notice to cease the infringement. Should this prove insufficient, sanction proceedings may be initiated and there is a possibility that a fine will be imposed.”
“Stake does not hold a licence and is therefore illegal in Belgium; as a result, we have blocked the site for Belgian users and placed it on our blacklist. Eden Hazard has many Belgian followers on his Instagram page, whom he reaches directly through his posts.”
Hazard, described as a global ambassador, indicated in an Instagram post that promotions will not be targeting users in Belgium nor Spain (his current country of residence) and pointed out Stake is unavailable in both countries.
“I’m really excited to be joining Stake at such an important time in the football calendar,” Hazard said.
“The World Cup remains the pinnacle of our sport – the dream every player chases – and I’ve been fortunate enough to experience it on some of the biggest stages [..] Now, in this next chapter, I can’t wait to engage with fans in new and meaningful ways, sharing insights, excitement, and the pure joy of football together with Stake.
“Football fans worldwide are incredibly passionate and dedicated, and I’m delighted to collaborate with a brand that truly understands and celebrates that energy, while delivering innovative, community-focused experiences. Let’s make the journey one to remember!”
Stake operates legally in many countries across the globe, and has official partnerships with huge sporting brands like the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC), as well as previously operating as title sponsors of the Stale F1 Team Kick Sauber.
Stake was previously investigated by the UK Gambling Commission, which resulted in regulatory fines of over £300,000 and an exit from the British market in early 2025.
The company recently also was criticised after launching in Denmark with a new licence.
