Ivana Alawi Criticized for Requiring Casino Follow in iPhone 17 Giveaway
IVANA ALAWI – The actress and content creator is facing criticism online after launching a giveaway of 100 iPhone 17 units for her followers.
In a social media video, she showed herself buying the smartphones, saying they would be given away as a way of thanking her supporters. The giveaway, reportedly worth around ₱4 million to ₱5 million, quickly went viral and attracted millions of views, reactions, and comments. Many fans expressed excitement over the opportunity to win a new phone, while some celebrities also joined the giveaway. Ivana is well known for organizing expensive giveaways and has previously given away smartphones and other valuable prizes as part of her online content.
The controversy began when many social media users noticed that one of the requirements to join the giveaway was to follow the page of Casino Plus, an online gambling platform that Ivana promotes. Although she said the company helped support the giveaway, the requirement sparked concerns among many netizens. Critics argued that encouraging millions of followers to engage with a gambling-related brand could help normalize online gambling and expose more people, especially younger audiences, to gambling promotions. Some also believed the giveaway was being used as a marketing campaign to increase the platform’s online reach.
Others defended Ivana, saying that following a social media page does not require anyone to gamble and that people are still responsible for their own choices. They argued that the giveaway was simply a promotional partnership and that participation remained voluntary.
The issue has divided public opinion, with some praising Ivana’s generosity and others questioning the ethics of linking a major giveaway to the promotion of an online gambling platform. The discussion continues across social media as users debate the responsibilities of influencers when promoting gambling-related products and services. As of now, Ivana Alawi has not issued any public statement or response regarding the criticism surrounding the giveaway and its connection to Casino Plus.