Unlicensed gambling companies could lose the right to sponsor Premier League clubs under new government plans.
Ministers have launched a consultation on a total ban after several controversies. These included pornographic promotions, anti-money-laundering failures and alleged links to organised crime.
Some major clubs, including Everton, Fulham and Wolverhampton Wanderers, currently display brands from online casinos or bookmakers without British licences. These firms can still sign commercial deals if they avoid offering services to UK customers.
Premier League teams have already agreed to remove gambling logos from the front of shirts after this season. The voluntary move will not cover sleeve sponsorships or other partnerships.
The government wants tighter rules to protect vulnerable gamblers. Culture secretary Lisa Nandy said unlicensed operators should not raise their profile through top clubs or attract fans to unregulated sites.
Everton’s partnership with Stake has drawn the most scrutiny. The deal is reportedly worth £10m a year. Investigations previously showed customers could use cryptocurrency to place bets when the company still held a UK licence.
Everton later told the firm to stop using club branding in a high-value betting promotion. Stake surrendered its British licence during a Gambling Commission investigation into its marketing activity. The company still sponsors the club.
Several gambling brands entered English football through TGP Europe, a white-label provider based in the Isle of Man. Regulators fined the company £3.3m for inadequate checks and anti-money-laundering breaches. It has since left the UK market.
Its exit means those sponsors no longer hold British licences. A full ban would block them from sleeve deals and other commercial links with Premier League clubs.
