Chelsea legend Eden Hazard faces investigation in Belgium just days after landing new role

Eden Hazard is reportedly under investigation in Belgium after becoming an ambassador for blacklisted gambling company Stake.

The Chelsea icon was announced as a global ambassador for the brand earlier this week in a promotional video on social media.

According to Belgian outlet Het Laatste Nieuws, this partnership could land Hazard in trouble.

‘A sanction could be considered’

It is claimed that the Belgian Gambling Commission have opened an investigation into whether the 35-year-old’s role breaches their rules into betting advertising.

Stake is one of the companies on the Commission’s blacklist, as it does not have a licence to operate in the country. 

With advertising illegal gambling services to people in Belgium prohibited, Hazard could face legal prosecution if his advertising is deemed to be targeting users in his homeland.

Stefaan Savenberg, a spokesman for the Commission, revealed that they would be investigating the nature of Hazard’s role.

He said: “We will examine whether the advertising by Eden Hazard is targeting the Belgian market.

“Advertising for gambling is prohibited in Belgium.”

If they decide Hazard is indeed targeting the Belgian market, then he will be given a formal notice to cut ties with Stake. 

On this, Savenberg added: “If this does not happen, a sanction could be considered.”

Hazard announced his new role with Stake on Wednesday, in a post shared across his social media pages.

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This saw him join a number of high-profile former players in becoming ambassadors for the gambling company.

Premier League greats Sergio Aguero and Patrice Evra have both partnered with Stake, as well as Real Madrid and Spain legend Iker Casillas.

The brand is also Everton‘s shirt sponsor, even though the casino ceased operations in the UK last year.

Sharing his new role, Hazard posted a short video of himself in a Stake-branded kit, alongside the caption ‘Get ready for a new game’.

He added in a press release: “Football has given me so many incredible memories, from lifting domestic and European trophies, to representing my country as captain, and making many friends along the way.

“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.”

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Hazard is an all-time great with Chelsea, where he made over 350 appearances, winning the Premier League twice, the FA Cup and League Cup and two Europa League crowns.

He was inducted into the Premier League Hall of Fame in 2025, having won the PFA Player of the Year award in 2015, and scored 85 league goals in seven years.

The winger moved to Real Madrid, but injuries and a lack of form led to a disappointing spell and he retired from football in 2023.