England: Premier League clubs to ban betting operators as main shirt sponsors (press)

The 20 Premier League clubs have reportedly agreed to ban the use of betting operators as main shirt sponsors at the English League's shareholders' meeting on 30/03/2023, according to the British daily The Times on 29/03/2023. The proposal is expected to be finally approved at a forthcoming meeting in June 2023.

This voluntary compromise would allow the English top flight clubs to be exempt from future, stricter UK government legislation, expected to be introduced in April 2023, which would ban all forms of advertising by bookmakers. This would allow clubs to continue to display the logos of betting operators as sleeve sponsors as well as on stadium signage. A transition period of three years before implementation has reportedly been requested by the clubs. Among those affected, West Ham United FC, for example, has a contract with Betway that runs until 2026-27.

The ban on main shirt sponsorship by sports betting operators has been under debate in the UK since the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport launched a consultation to amend The 2005 Gambling Act in December 2020…