Unlicensed gambling companies could lose the right to sponsor Premier League clubs under new government plans. Ministers launched a consultation after a series of controversies and regulatory concerns.
Several top-flight teams, including Everton, Fulham and Wolverhampton Wanderers, currently display brands linked to online casinos or bookmakers without British licences. Clubs have already agreed to remove gambling logos from the front of shirts after this season. The voluntary move does not cover sleeve deals or other partnerships.
The proposed ban would close that gap. It would stop overseas operators from using club sponsorships to promote their brands, even if they claim to target only foreign customers.
The government cited weak consumer protection, anti-money-laundering failures and alleged links to organised crime. Culture secretary Lisa Nandy said unlicensed firms should not raise their profile through major football clubs or attract fans to unregulated websites.
Everton’s reported £10m-a-year agreement with Stake.com has drawn the most attention. The company previously faced scrutiny over cryptocurrency betting while it still held a UK licence. The club later told the firm to remove its branding from a high-value betting promotion because of problem-gambling fears.
Stake surrendered its licence last year during a Gambling Commission investigation into its marketing activity. Despite that, it continues to sponsor Everton.
Many of these deals relied on the Isle of Man-based provider TGP Europe, which acted as a “white label” gateway for firms seeking UK exposure. Regulators fined the company £3.3m for anti-money-laundering failures. It has since withdrawn from the British market, leaving several sponsors without licences.
A full ban would prevent those companies from signing sleeve agreements or other commercial partnerships once front-of-shirt deals end.
