Controversial influencer Andrew Tate has entered the world of crypto gambling, reportedly striking a promotional deal with the online casino Duel.com. Tate did not explicitly announce this team-up. Instead, he revealed the news via a series of videos and social media posts. The development immediately attracted backlash from critics who accused Tate and Duel of attempting to cash in on his fame and controversy.

The Duel Logo Appeared in Several of Tate’s Videos

Affiliate marketing platforms began circulating promotional clips this week showing Tate training for his upcoming Misfits Boxing bout against Chase DeMoor. The influencer was wearing a black T-shirt emblazoned with the Duel.com logo. Moreover, a brief teaser video featuring the casino’s branding and the fight date, December 20, began appearing across X (formerly Twitter) on Monday.

On November 7, Tate shared an affiliate link — duel.com/tate — to his 10 million followers without further comment. The official X account of Duel, which was recently reactivated after a suspension in October, re-shared the post but has remained otherwise quiet. While it is clear that the two parties are involved in some way, the extent of their collaboration remains uncertain.

Duel.com, which refers to itself as “the first casino that gives a fck,” is licensed by the Autonomous Island of Anjouan, a tiny spot in the Indian Ocean that is renowned for its minimal regulatory oversight. The casino’s founder, Ossi “Monarch” Ketola, a Finnish entrepreneur and high-stakes poker player, first made his fortune running the skin-betting platform CSGOEmpire.

Tate Remains a Highly Controversial Figure

The partnership stirred up significant backlash in the gambling sector. Industry experts pointed out that aligning with an individual facing serious criminal charges could send the wrong message to consumers. Tate and his brother Tristan are currently awaiting trial in Romania on charges including human trafficking, rape, and money laundering. They have rejected the accusations, stating that they are the victims of a political conspiracy.

For Duel, partnering with Tate has obvious benefits. His global notoriety and massive online following could give the company instant visibility in a highly competitive gambling market. However, critics note that the move risks tarnishing the industry’s already fragile reputation, as Duel may be trading credibility for clicks.

Some of Tate’s followers have also accused him of hypocrisy. In 2022, he announced his conversion to Islam, calling gambling “haram” and urging followers to avoid casinos. However, he apparently does not mind serving as a casino affiliate and frontman. Some speculate that the Duel deal could be a prelude to Tate launching his own crypto gambling brand.