BWT Alpine Formula One Team has announced a new partnership with MODO.us, a social casino platform developed by an American company specializing in online gaming, a growing but also controversial sector. Moreover, it is not the first team to enter this field, Sauber having entered into a partnership with the gaming brand Stake.
MODO Casino, which is growing in popularity in America, offers slot and table games such as roulette, blackjack and even poker, playable for free using virtual coins. These virtual winnings can be converted into real prizes, a concept that raises questions about the boundary between free play and traditional gambling.
The BWT Alpine Formula One Team brand will appear in games specially designed for MODO Casino, incorporating elements linked to Formula 1. This initiative aims to increase the visibility of the team among a younger and connected audience. But the promotional aspect of this partnership raises questions. The MODO Casino brand will appear on the body of the car throughout the 2025 season.
If this visibility can strengthen the notoriety of MODO Casino, it also raises the question of the ethical impact of associating a globally followed sport with an industry often criticized for its effects on addictive behavior. Although there are reliable online casinos, many should be avoided.
Oliver Oakes, BWT Alpine Formula One Team Principal, expressed his enthusiasm for the initiative, which he describes as a crossover opportunity between two growing sectors. However, some observers note that the involvement of a Formula 1 team in the social casino sector could be seen as a controversial choice, particularly in a context where the regulation of gambling is a sensitive subject in many countries. .
-Although MODO Casino is presented as a free platform, the ability to turn virtual winnings into real prizes could blur the lines between entertainment and gambling incentives.
This partnership highlights the evolution of funding models in elite sport, but also raises debates about the ethical responsibilities of teams towards their young fans and their overall influence.
