Report: Premier League agrees to voluntary front-of-shirt gambling sponsorship ban
England’s top football league reportedly set to push ahead with agreement without the agreement of clubs
The Premier League is set to agree to a voluntary ban on front-of-shirt gambling sponsorships.
According to the BBC, English football’s top-flight has agreed to the change without a vote on the proposal among clubs.
No timetable for the vote has been agreed upon, but it was originally due to occur before Boris Johnson resigned as Prime Minister in July 2022.
The vote was then pushed back until a new PM was elected, but a new date was never agreed upon due to Liz Truss’ short tenure at Downing Street.
Even if this change comes into effect, gambling companies are still expected to advertise in-stadia and on other parts of the shirt, including sleeves.
As of the 2022-23 season, eight Premier League clubs have gambling sponsors, including West London highflyers Brentford and Fulham and last season’s UEFA Europa League semi-finalists West Ham.
Last month, Aston Villa’s fan consultation group met with the club’s CEO to discuss the side’s reported deal with controversial Asia-facing betting operator BK8.
There are also calls for a ban throughout the English Football League (EFL). Campaigners have argued football has normalised gambling and that these restrictions are needed to protect children and vulnerable groups.
The EFL also said that if the ban were to apply to all football league clubs, it would cost its 72 members £40m a year.