Soccer-Premier League to withdraw gambling sponsorships from shirts (updated)

Super (SGHC)

13/04/2023 14:08

(Adds Lucy Frazer statement)
       April 13 (Reuters) - Premier League clubs have
collectively agreed to stop featuring gambling sponsorships on
the front of soccer kits from the 2026-27 season, the English
top-flight league said on Thursday.
    Eight of the 20 clubs in the league currently have betting
companies as shirt sponsors, including Newcastle United (Fun88),
West Ham United (Betway) and Everton (Stake.com).
    The UK government is expected to publish a white paper - a
proposal for future legislation - on gambling regulation.
    According to a report in The Times, ministers have signalled
that the white paper will not include shirt sponsorship
restrictions if the voluntary agreement was reached. The report
added that sleeve deals are still permitted.
    "Premier League clubs have today collectively agreed to
withdraw gambling sponsorship from the front of clubs' matchday
shirts...," the league said in a statement.
    "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. 
    "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."
    The Premier League added that it was working with other
sports on "the development of a new code for responsible
gambling sponsorship".
    Britain's Culture Secretary Lucy Frazer welcomed the Premier
League's announcement.
        "The vast majority of adults gamble safely but we have
to recognise that footballers are role models who have enormous
influence on young people. We want to work with institutions
like the Premier League to do the right thing for young fans,"
Frazer said.
  
        "We will soon bring forward a Gambling White Paper to
update protections for punters and ensure those who are at risk
of gambling harm and addiction are protected."
  


 (Reporting by Aadi Nair in Bengaluru
Editing by Pritha Sarkar and Toby Davis)
 ((Aadi.Nair@thomsonreuters.com;))