NHL Star Roberto Luongo Promotes Online Poker Site

Vancouver Canucks ice hockey goalie Roberto Luongo has just agreed a partnership deal with the Canadian government owned online poker site PlayNow.com.
Back in 2008, Luongo became the first NHL goaltender in 60 years to be named team captain. The 32 year-old is also one of the League’s biggest earners having signed a 12-year contract extension in 2009 worth around $64 million.
Outside of hockey, however, Luongo is  a keen poker player and has played in a number of tournaments, including the 2009 PokerStars sponsored NHL Charity Shootout where he made the final table. Now looking forward to promoting and endorsing his new online poker home, Roberto Luongo commented: 
“I’ve always enjoyed playing poker and my competitive side is looking forward to practicing my poker skills…It’s poker, it’s one of my passions. It’s a great endorsement and this site is licensed by the government and so it’s really exciting for me.”
Luongo’s high profile status amongst sports fans will now be instrumental in attracting customers to British Columbia’s only legal poker site PlayNow.com through the use of advertisements and unique player promotions. Commenting on the deal, Rhonda Garvey from the British Columbia Lottery Corporation (BCLC) said:
“This is an exciting announcement for our players; they will now have the opportunity to play poker against Roberto Luongo. This partnership gives our players access to great prizes like the chance to test their poker skills against the hockey all-star.”
Unfortunately, not everyone has embraced Luongo’s promotion of online poker, with one critic addictions counselor Candace Plattor saying it was a poor choice by a role model. She even appeared on CBC News and stated:
“He’s endorsing something that is potentially dangerous. People don’t take this seriously enough. It is potentially dangerous. He may as well being saying to people, to kids, ‘Sure, go and smoke.”
However, PlayNow.com countered her argument by stressing the fact that site promotes responsible gambling  which generates income for the benefit of all British Columbians.