Premier League clubs have voted to ban betting sponsors on the fronts of kits. Top flight teams will, however, allow these betting company logos on shirt sleeves and inside stadiums. This ban will go into effect at the start of the 2026/27 season.
“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 said in a statement on Thursday.
“The Premier League is also working with other sports on the development of a new code for responsible gambling sponsorship. To assist clubs with their transition away from shirt-front gambling sponsorship, the collective agreement will begin at the end of the 2025/26 season.”
40% of Premier League clubs have betting sponsors
Eight Premier League teams currently have betting logos on the front of their official jerseys. The BBC also claims that these particular partnerships have an estimated value of about $75 million each. Delaying the move to ban these shirt-front sponsors will give these teams time it negotiate new agreements.
James Grimes, leader of The Big Step, applauded the decision. His organization has set out to remove gambling advertisements from soccer.
“Today’s announcement is a significant acceptance of the harm caused by gambling sponsorship. No gambling ads are seen more than those on Premier League shirts, worn by billions around the world,” proclaimed Grimes.
Grimes asks for government mediation on issue
However, Grimes also calls for more action. “But, just moving logos to a different part of the kit while allowing pitchside advertising and league sponsorship to continue is totally incoherent,” he continued.
“Without government action on all forms of gambling ads in football, at every level, online casinos will exploit any voluntary measures and continue to market their products through our national sport.”
PHOTO: IMAGO / Uk Sports Pics Ltd
