Charity Christian Action Research and Education (Care) has said that it is ‘hugely disappointed’ as nine Premier League cubs are set to kick off the new season with gambling firm logos on their shirts.
With seven clubs due to begin the season with gambling brands as their main front-of-shirt sponsor, over a third of the league’s clubs will now be promoting betting directly to their fans, week in, week out.
Whilst Aston Villa, Bournemouth, Brentford, Burnley, Everton, Fulham, and West Ham are the main offenders, Crystal Palace and Wolves will also be carrying gambling sponsorships on their shirt sleeves.
The charity added that it “beggars belief that top-tier clubs are still taking money from companies that exploit vulnerable fans”, despite numerous awareness campaigns by groups such as Gambling With Lives in recent years.
Although Premier League clubs pledged earlier this year to fully phase out gambling firms from shirt sponsorships by the end of the 2025-26 season, the issues caused by widespread fan exposure will still be felt for the next three seasons.
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Recent fan backlash against a proposal for gambling brand Stake to become Chelsea’s front-of-shirt sponsor for the coming season signals a wider change in fan opinion over the process.
“It is hugely disappointing to see so many Premier League clubs still making sponsorship deals with gambling companies. Problem gambling is a huge concern and research shows people who bet on sports are particularly vulnerable. Many clubs in the Premier League have moved away from partnerships with big betting in recent years,” Care chief executive, Ross Hendry said.
“Like tobacco advertising in sport in years gone by, gambling adverts are increasingly seen as unacceptable.They promote an industry that depends entirely on customer loss for its success, with a track record of putting profits before people.
Concluding, he said: “This commitment to end shirt-front sponsorship falls short of a complete ban and will not take effect for several years. Given the impetus for this move is protecting vulnerable fans, it is hard to understand why the Premier League is dragging its heels. Gambling industry wealth is no substitute for fan welfare.”
