The UK Gambling Commission has announced that it will notify three Premier League clubs — Everton, Nottingham Forest and Leicester City — about the risks of promoting illegal betting sites on their shirts.
Furthermore, the Commission warned that clubs could face fines, imprisonment or both if they are convicted of promoting unlicensed betting businesses.
According to the Commission, “Clubs must carry out sufficient due diligence to ensure that consumers cannot transact with Great Britain websites in any way.”
Everton did not comment on the case, similarly, Leicester and Nottingham Forest did not immediately respond to Reuters’ requests for a position.
New sponsorship rules in the Premier League and investigation into Stake
Importantly, Premier League clubs had already agreed, in 2023, to stop displaying gambling sponsorships on the front of their kits from the 2026-27 season. The decision was made collectively, but is not yet in force.
The measure aims to protect consumers and ensure that only licensed operators operate in the British market. Furthermore, the regulator seeks to avoid practices that could induce addiction to gambling, especially among young people.
The Premier League, meanwhile, faces pressure to tighten rules on betting sponsorships. However, the full ban will only be implemented in 2026, meaning clubs can still showcase these sponsorships for another three seasons.
In the meantime, the Gaming Commission will continue to monitor the activities of operators and clubs. Fines or imprisonment for managers are a real possibility if the rules are not followed. The aim is to ensure that sport is not associated with illegal or harmful practices.
The situation is still developing, and new information should emerge in the coming days. For now, the clubs involved need to adjust to the regulator’s requirements to avoid penalties.
