UK Government looking to prohibit gambling sponsorship on Football Shirts

This could have a drastic financial impact, with the majority of Championship clubs and half of Premier League sides possessing a sports betting or online casino sponsor. It is estimated that teams in the top two divisions alone would take a combined revenue hit of £110m-a-year if the legislation is enacted.

According to the Telegraph, the government are increasingly concerned about gambling addiction, with a full review into the industry currently taking place.

Any decision, the report continues, will be informed by evidence of the betting industry’s influence on addiction within the sport, but the suggestion is that a shirt sponsor ban looks “increasingly likely” to happen.

Betting fell during the first lockdown as elite sport was halted. It did not, however, drop to a level many anticipated, with a surge in interest in online slots believed to have been caused by punters who would have normally wagered on football and horse racing.

The Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport is heading up the review, with the PM expected to play a key role.

Tags: , , ,