Premier League to withdraw gambling sponsors from front of shirts
Sleeves sponsorship is still allowed, according to reports, as well as digital billboards around the field.
Premier League clubs have collectively agreed to withdraw gambling sponsorship from the front of match shirts, but the move will not take effect until the end of the 2025/26 season.
Eight of the 20 clubs in the league currently have betting companies as shirt sponsors. Premier League clubs will be allowed new gambling sponsorships for the front of shirts until the ban comes into effect, the British Press Association reported.
“Premier League clubs collectively agreed today to remove gambling sponsorship from the front of clubs’ matchday shirts, making them the first sports league in the UK to voluntarily take such a measure to reduce gambling advertising,” the league said in a statement. Thursday.
“The announcement follows extensive consultations with the League, its clubs and the Ministry of Culture, Media and Sport as part of the government’s ongoing review of current gambling legislation.”
Excellent. Well done @Eredivisie
Now do the sleeves, backs of shirts, the digital signs around the pitch, the banners on the pitch next to the goals, the big screens at half time, TV ads AND the actual broadcasters paying you.@the_bigstep— Tristan Cork Post (@TristanCorkPost) April 13, 2023
Current football sponsorship deals with gambling companies can remain in place for the next three years. The Premier League said it was working with other sports to “develop a new code of responsible gambling sponsorship”.
The UK government is expected to publish a white paper – a proposal for future legislation – on gambling regulation.
“The vast majority of adults are safe gamblers, but we must recognize that footballers are role models who have a huge influence on young people. We want to work with institutions like the Premier League to do the right thing for young fans,” said UK Culture, Media and Sport Secretary Lucy Frazer, welcoming the announcement.
“We will soon be releasing a white paper on gambling to update protections for gamblers and ensure those at risk of gambling harm and addiction are protected.”
And what about the constant on-field advertising on the digital sideboards of the field? This is just as bad
— Martin Sanders (@FootballMartin_) April 13, 2023
According to a report in The Times newspaper, ministers have indicated that the white paper will not include restrictions on shirt sponsorship if the voluntary agreement is reached.
The report added that sleeve deals are still allowed.
Gambling sponsors on the front of football shirts are already banned in Italy and Spain.