Everton are set to be contacted by the Gambling Commission over their shirt sponsor Stake.
The Australian bookmaker is set to withdraw its “white label” UK gambling licence in the next month and close its UK website.
That is understood to be a strategic decision but it comes after the Gambling Commission launched an “investigation into a widely viewed video displaying the Stake-branded logo, which was distributed on a social media platform and featured an adult actress outside Nottingham Trent University”.
TGP Europe Limited operate the site and have stated that they will be shutting it down by March 11.
A Stake spokesperson said: “Stake has made a strategic decision in mutual agreement with TGP Europe to exit white-label agreements and focus on securing local licenses through our in-house platform and operations, building upon our growth in key regulated markets such as our recent expansions into Italy and Brazil.”
Stake has been Everton’s front-of-shirt sponsor since the beginning of the 2022-23 season. It is believed to be worth around £10m a year after they replaced car sales firm Cazoo.
Everton have not commented on the matter but it is understood that the club will ensure that it meets all requirements by the Gambling Commission. That would include geo-blocking the website so that UK-based punters cannot access.
Everton’s position remains unchanged with the company because their current sponsor is “Stake.com” and the Australian firm have focussed on the global market in their partnership with the club.
There have never been any betting kiosks or such at Goodison Park during the agreement or targeting of UK customers. Everton have not been contacted formally as of yet.
But the Gambling Commission has said it will write to Everton – and two other football clubs with unlicensed sponsors – to warn them of the risks of promoting unlawful gambling websites.
And Everton will be warned that club officers could face fines or even imprisonment if they don’t carry out sufficient due diligence to “assure the Commission consumers cannot transact with the sites from Great Britain by any means”.
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Catherine Ivill – AMA/Getty Images)
A statement from the Gambling Commission said: “The Commission will be writing to Everton – along with two other football clubs with unlicensed sponsors – warning of the risks of promoting unlawful gambling websites.
“The Commission will seek assurance from the clubs that they have carried out due diligence on their white label partners and that consumers in Great Britain cannot transact with the unlicensed sites.
“Clubs will be asked to demonstrate that they have assurance that any steps to geo-block the sites are effective, recognising that some blocking can be easily by-passed by use of tools such as a Virtual Private Network.
“Clubs will be expected to carry out sufficient due diligence to assure the Commission that consumers cannot transact with the sites from Great Britain by any means.
“The Commission will also be taking steps to independently verify effective measures are in place.
“The letter will warn that club officers may be liable to prosecution and, if convicted, face a fine, imprisonment or both if they promote unlicensed gambling businesses that transact with consumers in Great Britain.
“When an operator leaves the British gambling market we expect an orderly closure of its website to consumers in Great Britain and this includes providing consumers with clear information on how to obtain their funds. If a customer has questions concerning their account they should contact the operator via its website.”
Stake has previously been investigated by The Advertising Standards Authority over social media posts which superimpose the logo of the gambling company onto viral images.
After complaints about the posts, an ASA spokesperson told the Guardian last month it was looking at the posts to see “whether there are grounds for further action”. Everton have been contacted for comment on the matter.
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