The UK Gambling Commission is considering banning soccer clubs from signing sponsorship deals with unlicensed gaming operators.
The ban could affect several clubs after the commission warned that operators not following UK regulations lack significant consumer protections. That includes data protection protocols that could leave users vulnerable to fraud and identity theft.
Further discussion of the proposal will come this spring, according to the BBC.
“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,” Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy said.
Major Sponsor Loses License
The new rules come after regulators warned several clubs of their relationship with TGP Europe last year. The company operates numerous online gaming platforms, including Stake.
TGP lost its license in the country and exited the market last year after being threatened with a £3.3 million fine for multiple violations of anti-money laundering regulations, according to the Guardian. After an investigation, the commission found that TGP didn’t “carry out sufficient checks on business partners” and violated “anti-money laundering rules.”
In letters to the clubs, regulators warned that the teams “may be liable to prosecution … if they promote unlicensed gambling businesses that transact with consumers in Great Britain.”
Clubs Affected By Ban
Several clubs, including some of those in the Premier League, could be affected, such as Bournemouth, Fulham, Newcastle, Wolverhampton, Everton, and Burnley. The Premier League had previously banned clubs from wearing gambling brands on the front of their jerseys, but images may still be seen on sleeves.
The investigation into Stake followed a 2025 stunt involving adult film star Bonnie Blue at Nottingham Trent University. Viral videos linked to the brand have also featured violence and graphic images, according to the Guardian. TGP Europe hasn’t commented on the issues surrounding the UK football clubs.
Several British clubs also have deals with operators that are regulated in the UK. Some of those include:
- Brentford (Hollywood Bets)
- West Ham (BoyleSports)
- Liverpool (Ladbrokes)
- Manchester City (LeoVegas)
- Stoke City (Bet365)
- Manchester United (BetFred)
In other soccer and gambling news, English soccer star Dele Alli recently accumulated six-figure losses at late-night poker sessions at a London casino. Sheffield United also recently said English poker player James Bord’s consortium was the preferred buyer for the team. Bord’s biggest win came in 2010 when he won the World Series of Poker Europe main event for $1.3 million.
In 2024, Liverpool soccer great John Arne Riise spoke with Card Player about his love of the game and becoming a CoinPoker ambassador.
