Mon. Nov 25th, 2024
Betting ban for Premier League shirts in Government crackdown on gambling

Betting firms will be banned from ­advertising on Premier League football shirts as part of a government crackdown on gambling addiction. Top-flight clubs are believed to be in favour of wiping the names of firms such as Betway and Fun88 from the chest of players’ jerseys.

But they are expected to allow the companies to promote themselves on sleeves.

Clubs have come up with the voluntary restriction after holding talks with ministers.

The Government is expected to announce the move in a long-awaited White Paper, which will include new limits on stakes and a profits tax to treat addicts.

Eight out of the 20 Premier League clubs currently have a betting firm as the sponsor on their shirt front.

The list includes Betway at West Ham, Dafabet at Bournemouth, Stake.com at Everton, W88 at Fulham and Fun88 at Newcastle United.

Many of the firms are operated by TGP Europe, a company which holds a gambling licence and rents out the rights under a “white label agreement”.

Brighton & Hove Albion chairman Tony Bloom has been a vocal supporter of banning gambling shirt sponsors, despite amassing his wealth via sports betting.

He said last year: “It’s really important to be aware of children seeing gambling or betting advertising on the shirt in particular because they buy the shirts. I don’t think having gambling sponsorship on shirts is good. Although there is gambling advertising all around, I just think on the shirts it’s the most obvious.”

The Department for Culture, Media and Sport has been contacted for comment.

By Xplayer