Campaign group Big Step have said the UK government must “step in” after a further three Premier League clubs shirt sponsorships with gambling firms.
Big Step Call For UK Government To Take Action
Fulham and Burnley have one-year deals with SBOTOP and W88 respectively while Aston Villa have recently agreed a three-year deal with BK8.
However there is change coming, but just not yet. In April, Premier League clubs agreed to get rid of gambling sponsorships on the front of shirts by the end of the 2025-26 season.
Big Step released a statement on the matter, calling the partnerships “short-sighted.”
The campaigners are fighting to end gambling advertising and sponsorship in football.
“Football can’t be trusted on gambling and the government must now step in to end these deals.
“Clubs talk about mental health while desperately accepting cheques from online casinos to promote gambling – forcing their own young players and fans to be walking billboards for products that cause addiction and suicide.”
The Aston Villa, Fulham and Burnley partnerships have all been announced in the last week, causing further controversy.
Last season, eight top flight clubs had gambling companies on the front of their shirts, worth an estimated £60m per year.
As part of the decision to end gambling sponsorship on the front of shirts, clubs will still be allowed to continue featuring gambling brands on shirt sleeves and advertisement boards after 2026.
