Former Minnesota governor Jesse "The Body" Ventura has endorsed an Internet gambling site, saying: "I feel strongly that people should be able to choose how they spend their entertainment dollars. It's none of the government's business."
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Ventura new pitchman for online gambling site
Associated Press
Ex-Gov. Jesse Ventura is the new pitchman for a foreign-based Internet gambling site that takes bets on everything from football games to trial verdicts.
BetUS.com tapped Ventura to promote the site, which also offers casino games and poker.
Ventura, who left office in 2003 after a single term, will appear in radio and print ads that were to debut on Wednesday.
In one, Ventura says: "As governor, Jesse Ventura told it like it is, and now I'm telling you that BetUs.com is the only place to bet.''
While in office, Ventura was cool to proposals to expand casino gambling in Minnesota, but he backed legislation that would have legalized sports betting.
"I feel strongly that people should be able to choose how they spend their entertainment dollars,'' Ventura said in a press release issued by the company. "It's none of the government's business.''
The site is licensed in Canada and Costa Rica. Last year, it took more than $500 million in wagers, said Mike Foreman, the company's chief marketing officer.
Federal law prohibits Internet gambling sites from originating in the United States, and Congress has refused to let U.S. casinos offer gambling online. But offshore sites are big business, generating billions of dollars in revenue.
Foreman said the company chose the former professional wrestler turned politician partly because of his popularity among 25 to 54 year olds, the site's target demographic.
"It's a very powerful statement that a former governor is willing to endorse our company,'' Foreman said. "For us and an industry that has been often questioned in the press it gives us a certain level of credibility.''
Foreman wouldn't disclose the financial terms of the one-year deal; Ventura wasn't immediately available for an interview.
1 comment:
Ventura new pitchman for online gambling site
Associated Press
Ex-Gov. Jesse Ventura is the new pitchman for a foreign-based Internet gambling site that takes bets on everything from football games to trial verdicts.
BetUS.com tapped Ventura to promote the site, which also offers casino games and poker.
Ventura, who left office in 2003 after a single term, will appear in radio and print ads that were to debut on Wednesday.
In one, Ventura says: "As governor, Jesse Ventura told it like it is, and now I'm telling you that BetUs.com is the only place to bet.''
While in office, Ventura was cool to proposals to expand casino gambling in Minnesota, but he backed legislation that would have legalized sports betting.
"I feel strongly that people should be able to choose how they spend their entertainment dollars,'' Ventura said in a press release issued by the company. "It's none of the government's business.''
The site is licensed in Canada and Costa Rica. Last year, it took more than $500 million in wagers, said Mike Foreman, the company's chief marketing officer.
Federal law prohibits Internet gambling sites from originating in the United States, and Congress has refused to let U.S. casinos offer gambling online. But offshore sites are big business, generating billions of dollars in revenue.
Foreman said the company chose the former professional wrestler turned politician partly because of his popularity among 25 to 54 year olds, the site's target demographic.
"It's a very powerful statement that a former governor is willing to endorse our company,'' Foreman said. "For us and an industry that has been often questioned in the press it gives us a certain level of credibility.''
Foreman wouldn't disclose the financial terms of the one-year deal; Ventura wasn't immediately available for an interview.
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