The Premier League has announced that it will ban clubs from having gambling sponsorship on the front of their match-day shirts.
This decision, which will come into effect at the end of the 2025/26 season, follows an extensive consultation involving the league, its clubs, and the Department for Culture, Media and Sport.
Currently, eight Premier League clubs have gambling companies as shirt-front sponsors, with an estimated value of £60m each year.
However, from the end of the 2025/26 season, existing and new shirt-front gambling sponsorship contracts will no longer be allowed.
🚨 𝗢𝗙𝗙𝗜𝗖𝗜𝗔𝗟! Premier League clubs have agreed to remove gambling sponsors from the front of their shirts on match days. ❌🎰
— Transfer News Live (@DeadlineDayLive) April 13, 2023
Decision effective from 2026!
(Source: @premierleague) pic.twitter.com/5RWCEM4B6L
While gambling sponsorship will be banned from shirt-fronts, clubs will still be able to feature gambling brands in other areas, such as shirt-sleeves and LED advertising.
The Premier League is also working with other sports on the development of a new code for responsible gambling sponsorship.
The Premier League’s decision to ban gambling sponsorship on shirt-fronts is a significant step towards addressing concerns around the normalization of gambling in football.
While gambling has long been associated with football, its presence in the sport has increased significantly in recent years. This has raised concerns about the impact that it may have on vulnerable individuals, such as young people and those with gambling addictions.
The government’s ongoing review of current gambling legislation has also played a significant role in the Premier League’s decision.
The review aims to examine the impact of gambling on individuals and society and to consider measures to reduce harm.
The Premier League’s move towards responsible gambling sponsorship is commendable, and it is hoped that other sports organizations will follow suit.
While gambling sponsorship has provided significant revenue for football clubs, it is essential to consider the potential harm that it may cause.
The ban on gambling sponsorship on shirt-fronts is a step in the right direction towards promoting responsible gambling and protecting vulnerable individuals.
