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 a British licence. Clubs have already agreed to remove all front-of-shirt gambling sponsors after this season. The voluntary ban does not cover sleeve deals or other partnerships.
The proposed rules would close that gap. They would block unlicensed operators from any commercial links with clubs, even if those firms target only overseas customers.
The government warned that some of these companies operate under weak regulation. Officials also raised concerns about failures in anti-money laundering checks and possible links to organised crime. Culture secretary Lisa Nandy said it was wrong for such firms to promote themselves through major clubs.
Everton’s reported £10m-a-year agreement with Stake has drawn the most scrutiny. The company previously held a UK licence but faced questions over cryptocurrency betting and controversial marketing campaigns. It later surrendered its licence but continued its sponsorship.
Many of the affected brands entered the market through TGP Europe, a “white label” provider based in the Isle of Man. Regulators fined the company £3.3m for inadequate checks and money-laundering breaches. TGP has since withdrawn from the UK, leaving its partner firms without licences.
A full ban would prevent those companies from switching to sleeve sponsorships or other deals once the shirt-front restriction begins next season.
