But of course this process did not start out of nowhere. Popular among athletes, especially in the world of soccer, poker has been widely promoted by some of the most influential personalities in the country. Back at Santos Futebol Clube after 12 years, Neymar Júnior is among the best-known names of the great enthusiasts of the so-called ‘sport of the mind’ around Brazil.
However, the star of the Brazilian National Team is not satisfied with entering this universe alone. So much so that he often invites ‘partners’ to join him on this adventure. New Corinthians number 10, Dutchman Memphis Depay was one of the characters recently seen alongside Neymar during a poker event attended by the idol from Baixada Santista.
Interest in the sport is spreading to other generations, dominating a respected audience. Five-time world champion for Brazil, Ronaldo Fenômeno also has a history with the sport, as does multi-champion coach Vanderlei Luxemburgo. These are historical figures in national football who help promote and publicize poker within their own country, and in some cases, abroad as well.
It is worth mentioning that the support is not limited to athletes. New protagonists of the sport in the country, betting houses are also full steam ahead in promoting the sport.
A reference among companies that invest in the sport, CoinPoker, which has MMA fighter Borrachinha as its ambassador, has gained great notoriety among lovers of the category.
“It is a great honor to carry the CoinPoker name with me. This is a sport that has been growing significantly on the national and international scene, gaining fans everywhere. Contributing to the promotion of such a prestigious sport is a great honor for me,” says Borrachinha.
Just like the fighter, poker players themselves are proud of the company’s investment.
“As much as athletes are passionate about poker, there is always a need to seek more visibility and investment for the sport. Having these big names contributing to the evolution and development of the sport in a broader context shows us that we are on the right track and have committed partners, as is the case with CoinPoker,” celebrates Brazilian Olivio Gontijo, a professional poker player known as Bigfat.
According to data provided by the Brazilian Texas Hold'em Confederation (CBTH), there are already around 7 million players in the country, proving the strength of an activity that is gaining popularity with the public.
Source: GMB
