Tranmere Rovers offered four-figure sum by betting firm despite club’s anti-gambling ad stance

Tranmere Rovers chairman Mark Palios has revealed a gambling firm offered the club a four-figure sum to promote the brand during a Carabao Cup game at Prenton Park. Tranmere Rovers host Premier League side Newcastle United in the Cup which will be broadcast on Sky Sports, yet the League Two outfit was one of the first to sign up to The Big Step, a campaign to end all gambling advertising and sponsorship in football that is part of the charity Gambling with Lives. Speaking to the Wirral Globe, Palios said: “A televised cup match against a Premier League team is always a big event for our club. It’s an opportunity to engage youngsters and let them see elite level stars, not a platform for promoting gambling.” A spokesperson for Gambling with Lives said: “This is such a commendable stance that should be applauded by all. During a cost-of-living crisis, the club has reduced ticket prices for this prestigious cup tie and more importantly for us, said no to quick and easy gambling money, that is the definition of a community football club.” Gambling sponsorship in football has been a hot topic for debate in recent years, but scrutiny has intensified recently, with the Premier League expected to vote in favour of a voluntary ban on gambling front-of-shirt sponsors next month. This move is to be undertaken before publication of the long-overdue white paper on the Gambling Act 2005 review. At the time of writing, 40% of the 20 Premier League clubs have a gambling sponsor as their front-of-shirt sponsor, including Tranmere’s opponent, Newcastle, who are sponsored by Fun88.