UK Government Launches Consultation on Illegal Gambling Sponsorship in Premier League

Sponsorship of Premier League clubs by illegal gambling operators is the focus of a newly announced UK government consultation aimed at banning unregulated companies from partnering with British sports teams.

Set to launch in the spring, the consultation seeks to strengthen player protection and “eliminate unfair competition for properly regulated firms.”

One operator expected to face scrutiny is Stake, which sponsors Everton but withdrew access to its global platform for UK users last February following intervention from the Gambling Commission.

Similar sponsorship arrangements are in place at Fulham, Bournemouth, Wolves, and Burnley. White-label provider TGP Europe facilitated deals involving BJ88 (Bournemouth) and SBOTOP (Fulham), as well as partnerships between DeBet and Wolverhampton Wanderers, and 96 and Burnley.

In May, the Gambling Commission confirmed that TGP Europe had surrendered its licence after being told it could only continue operating if it paid a £3.3m penalty and made “significant” improvements to its anti-money laundering controls.

Illegal Operator Crackdown

The Department for Culture, Media and Sport stated that clubs are “not acting unlawfully” by entering into such sponsorships, provided the operators are not accessible to UK consumers.

However, it added that ministers believe there is a “strong case” for banning unlicensed sponsorship entirely, as the brand exposure “could drive consumers towards unlicensed sites operating outside the Gambling Commission’s regulatory protections.”

The consultation forms part of the government’s wider efforts to combat illegal gambling, led by its Illegal Gambling Taskforce.

‘Regulatory Standards’

Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy said:

“When placing a bet on the big match, fans deserve to know the sites they’re using are properly regulated, with the right protections in place.

“It’s not right that unlicensed gambling operators can sponsor some of our biggest football clubs, raising their profile and potentially drawing fans towards sites that don’t meet our regulatory standards.”

Front-of-shirt sponsorship by gambling operators is already set to be banned from next season, though partnerships remain permitted on other areas of kits, including sleeves and the back of shirts.

Gambling Minister Baroness Twycross added:

“We know the real harm that unregulated gambling can cause, exploiting vulnerable people and leaving consumers without the protections they deserve.

“This consultation, alongside the work of our Illegal Gambling Taskforce, shows how seriously this government is taking the issue. We will not hesitate to act where we see people being put at risk.”