Deepfake Ad Depicting Alphonso Davies Family Promotes Unlicensed Oxibet in Alberta Market
An AI deepfake ad using Alphonso Davies’ family promoted unlicensed Oxibet in Alberta. The province launched its regulated iGaming market on July 13 with 31 operators to channel players from offshore sites. This highlights advancing AI risks in gambling promotions.
SCCG Take — The incident shows how deepfakes bypass athlete promotion rules and licensed advertising standards. Regulators face pressure to strengthen verification as Alberta’s market expands.
An Instagram advertisement using deepfake technology falsely depicted the father of soccer star Alphonso Davies being arrested in Edmonton before showing cash winnings and urging viewers toward an offshore casino. The ad from the account Prime Spin Zone also featured a deepfake of Canadian rapper Drake. Users clicking the promotion were redirected to Oxibet, an operator based in the Comoros with no license in Alberta.
Nedal Huoseh, agent for Alphonso Davies, stated the family has nothing to do with gambling and plans action against those responsible. The incident, as reported by GamblingNews, has reignited questions about the use of artificial intelligence in fake gambling promotions. Such ads now create believable video and audio of endorsements that never occurred.
Deepfake Technology Advances Beyond Static Image Scams
Previous fraudulent promotions relied on stolen photos or logos of celebrities and casinos. Deepfake tools now generate realistic moving images and speech. This makes it more difficult for consumers to identify illegitimate offers in the gambling space.
The ad promoted Oxibet, which is not licensed in Alberta. Licensed operators must include the Alberta iGaming Corporation logo in marketing materials. Rules prohibit professional athletes from direct promotion of gambling products, though they may appear in responsible gambling campaigns.
Alberta’s Regulated Market Seeks to Counter Offshore Operators
Alberta launched its regulated online gambling market on July 13. The framework aims to shift players from offshore sites to 31 registered iGaming operators that follow provincial requirements. Oxibet is not among them.
The Alberta Gaming, Liquor and Cannabis regulator has warned residents to verify that an operator is authorized before placing bets. Authorities urge consumers to consult the official list of approved operators before depositing funds. The Davies case occurs as the province continues efforts to grow its legal iGaming market while curbing offshore influence.
Reporting: GamblingNews
Generated by SCCG’s automated editorial system from published source reporting. SCCG Management holds editorial responsibility.
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