Government to Consult on Banning Unlicensed Gambling Firms from Sponsoring Premier League Clubs

Gambling firms not licensed in the UK could be banned from sponsoring sports teams, including Premier League clubs, under new government proposals.

Ministers have raised concerns about risks linked to the unlicensed betting market, including failures to follow customer protection laws and guidelines. These include mandatory financial vulnerability checks and responsible advertising requirements.

The government has also warned that weaker data protection standards could leave customers exposed to fraud and identity theft, while unlicensed betting operations have been associated with organised crime.

A consultation on the proposals will be launched this spring.

Last year, several clubs were warned by the Gambling Commission over ties to unlicensed operator TGP Europe. Premier League sides Bournemouth, Fulham, Newcastle and Wolves, along with then-Championship club Burnley, were sponsored by betting websites run by the firm.

TGP Europe surrendered its British licence following an investigation which found it failed to “carry out sufficient checks on business partners” and breached “anti-money laundering rules”.

A letter sent to the clubs cautioned that they “may be liable to prosecution... if they promote unlicensed gambling businesses that transact with consumers in Great Britain”.

Announcing the consultation, Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy said people placing bets “deserve to know the sites they're using are properly regulated, with the right protections in place”.

She added: “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.”

Premier League clubs have already agreed to remove gambling sponsorship from the front of matchday shirts by the end of this season. However, sleeve sponsorships can still feature gambling branding, including that of unlicensed firms.