Premier League clubs vote to ban gambling companies as shirt sponsors
Premier League clubs have voted for a landmark ban on gambling companies sponsoring the front of shirts.
The vote was passed at a meeting with all 20 clubs in the league on Thursday morning, with gambling sponsorships the only item on the agenda.
The ban on betting firms will cover the front of shirts but sleeve sponsorships and LED pitchside advertising will still be permitted. It will also give clubs three years to enact the change, meaning those affected will have until the start of the 2026-27 campaign to find alternative sponsors.
Eight Premier League sides this season have gambling firms on the front of their shirts — Brentford, Everton, Fulham, Leeds United, Newcastle United, Southampton and West Ham United. These are estimated to have a value of £ 60 million ($75.1m) per annum.
A Premier League statement on Thursday read: “Premier League clubs have today collectively agreed to withdraw gambling sponsorship from the front of clubs’ matchday shirts, becoming the first sports league in the UK to take such a measure voluntarily in order to reduce gambling advertising.
“The announcement follows an extensive consultation involving the League, its clubs and the Department for Culture, Media and Sport as part of the Government’s ongoing review of current gambling legislation. The Premier League is also working with other sports on the development of a new code for responsible gambling sponsorship.”
