Gambling businesses without a UK license could be prevented from sponsoring sports teams, including sides in the Premier League, under new measures being considered by the government.
Gambling businesses without a UK license could be prevented from sponsoring sports teams, including sides in the Premier League, under new measures being considered by the government.
Ministers say the move is driven by fears surrounding the unregulated betting sector, particularly companies that do not comply with rules designed to safeguard customers.
These rules include compulsory financial vulnerability assessments and standards on responsible marketing.
Officials have also raised concerns about inadequate data security, warning that customers may be exposed to fraud and identity theft. They add that illegal betting activity has been associated with organised criminal networks.
A public consultation on the proposals is expected to begin this spring.
Last year, the Gambling Commission contacted several clubs regarding their partnerships with TGP Europe, an operator that had given up its British license.
Premier League teams Bournemouth, Fulham, Newcastle, and Wolves, along with then-Championship club Burnley, had sponsorship agreements with betting platforms managed by the company.
TGP Europe surrendered its license after an investigation concluded it had not carried out adequate checks on business partners and had breached anti-money laundering requirements.
In a letter to the clubs, the regulator stated they could face prosecution if they promoted unlicensed gambling operators transacting with consumers in Great Britain.
Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy said individuals who place bets should be confident that the websites they use are properly overseen and provide appropriate protections.
She argued it was wrong for unlicensed betting operators to sponsor major football clubs, saying such arrangements increase their visibility and may attract supporters to platforms that do not meet UK regulatory standards.
The Betting and Gaming Council expressed support for the proposed action, stating that companies seeking the exposure offered by English football should adhere to the country’s strict regulatory framework.
Although Premier League clubs have already agreed to remove gambling logos from the front of matchday shirts by the end of the current season, sleeve sponsorship remains permitted. The government says this still allows unregulated operators to gain significant exposure in one of the nation’s most-watched competitions.
Ministers contend there is a strong argument for ending unlicensed sponsorship entirely, as brand prominence could steer consumers towards sites operating outside the Gambling Commission’s protections. The regulator estimates that up to 1.4 million adults in the UK experience gambling-related problems.
