The UK Gambling Commission’s director of policy, Ian Angus, has revealed plans to further strengthen controls on illegal lotteries to protect consumers and the regulated...
UK to ban illegal operators from sponsoring sports teams
The UK government is moving forward with plans to fully prohibit unregulated gambling operators from sponsoring sports teams.
Illegal operators are viewed as threats to public safety, as they ignore consumer protection laws, skip mandatory financial checks, and run irresponsible advertising campaigns.
In 2025, many sports teams were warned by the Gambling Commission regarding their connections to the unlicensed operator TGP Europe. Premier League Bournemouth, Fulham, Newcastle, and Wolves, as well as former Championship Burnley, were all sponsored by TGP Europe’s betting websites, which had their licenses revoked after anti-money laundering breaches were found.
In spring 2026, a consultation on the proposal will be held, as ministers and authorities have expressed support for the initiative.
Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy said:
“People placing bets deserve to know the sites they’re using are properly regulated, with the right protections in place. It’s not right that unlicensed gambling operators can sponsor some of our biggest football clubs, raising their profile and potentially drawing fans towards sites that don’t meet our regulatory standards.”
The Betting and Gaming Council also wrote:
“It’s not right that gambling companies without a UK license can sponsor Premier League clubs. If an operator wants the visibility and credibility of English football, they should meet the high regulatory standards set here in the UK.”
UK ministers believe that the visual brand exposure is too dangerous for consumers, with young fans seeing the operators’ logos during every match. The government stresses that football clubs must prioritize fan safety over commercial profits.
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