A NEW gambling law in Ireland could potentially block the broadcasting of certain Premier League matches.
The Gambling Regulation Bill is being debated in the Oireachtas which could see the end of Premier League matches featuring gambling sponsors being broadcasted on Irish television.
John Lynham spoke on Newstalk Breakfast about the law being discussed.
He said: “There would have to be a way to pixelate the logos out, but you can’t do that if they’re running around on the pitch.”
The wording of the Bill states at the moment: “A person shall not knowingly advertise or cause another person to advertise relevant gambling activity on television between the hours of 5:30am and 9:30pm.”
Since Premier League matches are only played between these times, if the letter of the law is followed then teams that feature gambling sponsors on their jerseys would not be allowed have their matches broadcast on Irish television.
8 of last season’s 20 Premier League sides wore gambling sponsors on their jerseys.
Back in April, the Premier League clubs voted to collectively withdraw gambling sponsors from the front of their shirts.
This will not come into effect until the start of the 2026/27 season.
A Premier League statement read: “Premier League clubs have today collectively agreed to withdraw gambling sponsorship from the front of clubs’ matchday shirts, becoming the first sports league in the UK to take such a measure voluntarily in order to reduce gambling advertising.
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“The announcement follows an extensive consultation involving the League, its clubs and the Department for Culture, Media and Sport as part of the Government’s ongoing review of current gambling legislation.
“The Premier League is also working with other sports on the development of a new code for responsible gambling sponsorship.
“To assist clubs with their transition away from shirt-front gambling sponsorship, the collective agreement will begin at the end of the 2025/26 season.”
However, gambling sponsors will still be allowed to feature on shirt sleeves and advertisement hoardings.
Therefore, this could mean that matches may still be prohibited from being broadcasted on Irish television between the hours listed above.
The 8 teams that wore gambling sponsors last season were Bournemouth, Brentford, Everton, Fulham, Leeds, Newcastle, Southampton and West Ham.
Southampton and Leeds were both relegated to the EFL Championship for the upcoming season but newly promoted Burnley will also feature a gambling company on their jersey.