Despite the upcoming ban2026-27Premier League clubs are still being criticized for continuing to sign sponsorship deals with gambling companies. Bournemouth recently announced a partnership with an Asian gambling company.bj88This brings the total number of clubs with gambling sponsorship to11Home, compared to last season8The number of homes has increased.
Bournemouth andbj88The new "record" exceeds its previous sponsorDafabetThe deal, reportedly worth almost double the previous one, reflects a trend of top-flight clubs continuing to sign high-stakes deals with gambling companies, even if they have voluntarily withdrawn from the deal.2026Restrictions on such sponsorship began in 2001.
The Premier League clubs' decision to continue these sponsorships has been met with criticism fromThe Big StepThis has come in response to criticism from sports groups, which campaign for the removal of gambling advertising from football.
“Premier League clubs must know that gambling harm is a serious problem which destroys lives in their communities and around the world, yet they continue to blindly sign these agreements just to make a few extra bucks,”The Big StepA spokesman told The Guardian.
The UK has been compared to countries such as Spain, Italy, Belgium and the Netherlands, where shirt sponsorship by gambling companies is banned.The Big StepCalls on the UK government to follow suit and end gambling advertising and sponsorship in football.
Previous data from the UK Gambling Commission showed that approximately2.5%of the UK adult population may be affected by social problems caused by gambling.
