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 offshore casinos or bookmakers. Many of these firms do not hold a British licence.
Clubs have already agreed to remove gambling logos from the front of shirts after this season. The voluntary ban will not cover sleeve deals or other partnerships. Unlicensed operators could still gain exposure through those routes.
The government now wants to close that gap. Ministers warned that some offshore companies operate under weak safeguards that fail to protect vulnerable gamblers. They also raised concerns about possible links to organised crime.
Culture secretary Lisa Nandy said it was wrong for unlicensed firms to promote themselves through major clubs. She argued that such deals could steer fans towards unregulated websites.
Everton’s partnership with Stake has drawn the most attention. The agreement is reportedly worth £10m a year. Stake previously held a UK licence but faced scrutiny over cryptocurrency betting and controversial online promotions. The company later surrendered its licence but continues to sponsor the club.
Many of the affected brands entered English football through a “white label” provider, TGP Europe. Regulators fined the firm £3.3m for anti-money laundering failures and inadequate checks on partners. TGP has since left the British market.
Its departure means several club sponsors no longer hold licences to operate in Great Britain. A full ban would block those companies from sleeve deals and other commercial links with Premier League sides.
