Premier League moves to ban betting companies from front of match shirts

Premier League clubs have collectively agreed to ban gambling sponsorship from the front of clubs’ match shirts. This makes them the first sports league in the United Kingdom to voluntarily take such a measure to reduce gambling advertising.

The announcement follows an extensive consultation involving the Premier League, the clubs and the Department for Culture, Media and Sport. The consultation was part of the government’s ongoing review of current gambling legislation.

Eight of the current 20 Premier League clubs have names of gambling companies on their shirts. West Ham United, for example, has Betway prominently displayed on its match shirt and Newcastle United plays with Fun88 on its chest.

The new deal goes into effect at the end of the 2025/2026 season.

In the Netherlands, the online gambling market has been legalized since 2021. Almost all clubs in the Eredivisie have since entered into sponsorship agreements with gambling providers. AZ, Fortuna Sittard and FC Volendam have gambling companies as main sponsors.

Minister Franc Weerwind (Legal Protection) announced last year that it will become more difficult for online gambling companies to advertise their games of chance. Thus, from 2025 there will be a ban on shirt sponsorship and sponsorship at sports venues.