How Retired Sports Stars' Statistics Are Proving Lucrative in iGaming
Last updated: May 20, 2026, 10:11AM | Published: May 20, 2026, 10:10AM
Once a sports star retires, the drop from previous lofty incomes can be difficult to bear. Yet online slot licensing is becoming one way to continue earning.
Cricket, horse racing and soccer. Stars from many of these sports have lent their names to online gambling games after retirement. Providing a recurring income, this approach is proving popular with those who want to capture a specific demographic. If you are a sports star who has clocked up statistics, having your own gambling games could be an earner in later years.
Sports Stars With Slot Games
When you think of online pokies Australia, many people consider the big mechanical machines in bars and casinos. Australia has 18% of the world's slot machines, so it makes sense that they love to play them digitally. Now, the best online pokies Australia have moved to smartphones and browsers, providing a wealth of choice.
Horse racing legend Frankie Dettori is one athlete who has done well in slot games. He currently has two: Magic Seven and Sporting Legends. In fact, the former is based on one of his most outstanding statistics: Dettori managed to win seven races at Ascot Racecourse in 1996. Added to his record have been his outstanding 288 career wins in Group One races.
Brian Lara Sporting Legends is another entry into this series, featuring the well-known Trinidadian cricketer. His statistics include the highest international score in a test innings. The series also includes another horse racer, AP McCoy, and snooker player Ronnie O'Sullivan.
The Statistics of an Athlete's Career
The statistics of an athlete's career paint quite a grim picture, making these income streams all the more important. The NFL has an average of 3.3 years for most players due to the high physical demands. Many injuries are major ones, meaning a high turnover of players. The NBA ranks at 4.8 years, while the NHL goes to 5 years.
When it comes to soccer, athletes have a much longer span of 8 years. This can be even more, depending on the position they play. With so many lower-level leagues, players can stay in demand for some time.
Understandably, there is very little public information about how much people are paid to have their image used on a slot title. It is not known if the payment is a flat fee or if there is a system of recurring income.
Thus, the statistics accumulated during a sporting career are no longer used solely for awards and newspaper columns. They are having a real impact on the earnings of athletes after competing. Combined with other streams like comebacks and media, this makes being an athlete a longer prospect.

