Report: Premier League looks to start phasing out gambling front-of-shirt sponsorship

The Premier League has hinted that it may begin to phase out front-of-shirt betting sponsorships, according to Sky News. It is understood that Premier League chiefs met with Whitehall over the last couple of weeks and proposed the gradual ban of betting sponsors adorning the front of Premier League clubs’ shirts. They have stated however, that they wish to keep sleeve sponsorship. A source told Sky News that the phasing out process would take “between three to five years”, which would take into account current deals that have been agreed and avoid an immediate drop off of sponsorship revenue from clubs. The government is primed to release its white paper in to the Gambling Act 2005, with The Times reporting that the government was set to drop plans to ban gambling sponsorship in football. A spokesperson from the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) told Sky News: “We are undertaking the most comprehensive review of gambling laws in 15 years to ensure they are fit for the digital age. “We will be publishing the white paper as part of a review of gambling legislation in the coming weeks.” The white paper into the Gambling Act 2005 is expected to be published by mid-July. Almost half of Premier League teams were sponsored by gambling companies during the 2021-22 season, including West Ham, Leeds and Newcastle. Everton and Stake.com have recently signed a multi-year deal, the most expensive sponsorship in the club’s history. Premier League new boys, AFC Bournemouth, have also teamed up with Dafabet for the next two years. However, some Premier League sides, such as Crystal Palace and Wolves, have taken the decision to distance themselves from gambling sponsorships.