Unlicensed gambling companies could lose the right to sponsor Premier League clubs under new government plans. Ministers launched a consultation after controversies involving pornography, weak money-laundering controls and alleged organised crime links.
Several top-flight teams, including Everton, Fulham and Wolverhampton Wanderers, currently display brands tied to offshore casinos or bookmakers. Clubs have already agreed to remove all gambling logos from the front of shirts after this season. That voluntary move will not cover sleeve sponsorships or other commercial deals.
The proposed ban would close that gap. It would stop unlicensed firms from using any club partnership to promote their brand, even if they claim not to target UK customers.
Culture secretary Lisa Nandy said it was wrong for unregulated operators to gain visibility through major clubs. She warned that some sites fail to protect vulnerable gamblers and operate under weaker standards.
Everton’s reported £10m-a-year deal with Stake has drawn the most scrutiny. The company previously faced questions over cryptocurrency betting and controversial social media promotions. It later surrendered its British licence but continues to sponsor the club.
Many of these brands entered English football through Isle of Man-based TGP Europe. Regulators fined the firm £3.3m for anti-money-laundering failures, and it has since left the UK market. Its exit means several current sponsors no longer hold a British licence.
A full ban would block those companies from future sleeve deals and other partnerships, tightening rules beyond the league’s own shirt-front restriction.
