overnment Plans to Ban Premier League Clubs from Sponsoring Unlicensed Gambling Operators

The UK government is moving forward with plans to prevent Premier League clubs from accepting sponsorship deals with unlicensed gambling operators. According to Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy, it is “not right” that gambling companies without a UK licence are allowed to sponsor some of the country’s most prominent football clubs, thereby increasing their visibility and potentially leading fans to sites that fail to meet regulatory standards.

In 2023, the Premier League voluntarily pledged to remove gambling advertisements from the front of player shirts by the end of the season. However, unlicensed gambling operators are still able to secure sponsorship deals, such as placing their logos on shirt sleeves.

Several Premier League clubs, including Fulham, Bournemouth, Wolves, and Burnley, currently have sponsorship deals with unlicensed operators. These partnerships were often facilitated through a company named TGP Europe, which provided a UK licence to other gambling businesses. TGP Europe left the UK market in 2022 after being fined £3.3 million by the Gambling Commission for failing to comply with regulations. Although these clubs are not breaking the law, as long as the gambling operators are not accessible to UK consumers, ministers are concerned that such deals could push sports fans toward unlicensed gambling sites, which are often linked to organised crime.

Unlicensed operators do not follow the necessary consumer protection measures, such as financial vulnerability checks or responsible advertising. They also lack data protections, leaving customers at risk of fraud and identity theft, according to the Department for Culture, Media and Sport.

Fiona Palmer, CEO of GamStop Group, which supports individuals with online gambling problems, praised the move, stating: “Any effort to prevent unlicensed gambling operators from gaining visibility through Premier League sponsorships is a positive step for consumer protection.”