UK government moves to close loophole on offshore gambling sponsorships in football

The UK government will launch a consultation aimed at banning unlicensed offshore gambling operators from sponsoring Premier League football clubs, according to The Guardian. The move comes after a delay allowed Everton to strike a sponsorship deal with Stake.com, an unlicensed casino, drawing sharp criticism from regulators and campaigners.

The GuardianUK to crack down on unlicensed casinos sponsoring football teams

"Ministers are poised to launch a crackdown on unlicensed casinos sponsoring British sports teams"

The Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) will lead the consultation, which was originally expected to begin in spring but stalled until now. The Guardian reported that progress on kicking unlicensed operators out of football has been slow since February, creating a window for offshore firms to secure high-profile visibility through shirt deals.

"The delay allowed Everton to sign a sponsorship deal with Stake.com, an unlicensed casino, drawing criticism from the Gambling Commission and anti-gambling advocates"

Everton’s partnership with Stake.com became a flashpoint in the debate, as the unlicensed casino operates outside UK regulations while benefiting from the global reach of Premier League exposure. The consultation is expected to close the loopholes that let these operators bypass British rules while appearing legitimate through sports sponsorships.

The government’s renewed push signals a tightening of gambling advertising rules, following years of voluntary bans by some clubs. The Guardian noted that the consultation aims to prevent similar deals by ensuring that only licensed operators can appear on team kits and in stadium advertising.