Six UK football clubs are currently under scrutiny for sponsorship deals with unlicensed gambling operators. The Premier League Clubs – Burnley, Wolves, Newcastle, Fulham, Leicester City, and Bournemouth – have found themselves in the middle of a storm after TGP Europe’s sudden exit from the British market earlier this month.
Highlights of the Story
- TGP Europe surrendered its Gambling Commission licence in May 2025 after being fined £3.3 million for AML non-compliance.
- The six clubs have sponsorship agreements with gambling platforms using TGP’s licence, which is now void.
- The Gambling Commission has issued a stern warning against promoting unlicensed gambling operators. Failing to adhere to the regulator’s recommendations could lead to the club management facing criminal charges.
TGP Europe’s Sudden Exit and Its Impact on Premier League Clubs
Operating under licensing laws applicable to white-label sportsbook providers, TGP Europe rented out its UKGC licence to offshore gambling platforms, which allowed them to accept players residing in the United Kingdom. This arrangement came to an abrupt halt as TGP Europe wrapped up its UK operations.
In early 2024, a UK Gambling Commission investigation found TGP violating the anti-money laundering (AML) statutes. This led to a £3.3 million penalty and imposed several corrective measures on the operator. As a result of these sanctions, TGP Europe decided to withdraw from the UK markets.
According to a news report, the future of six Premier League club sponsorship deals hangs in the balance. These clubs have signed lucrative deals with different online gambling sites previously using TGP’s licence. And most of them have a few years remaining before the deals are up for renewal.
The affected clubs include Leicester City, Bournemouth, Fulham, Newcastle, Wolves, and Burnley.
Regulator Concerned About the Rise of Crypto Gambling
UK punters can bypass local regulations using crypto transactions, further complicating AML compliance – a major concern for the UKGC, which has recently demonstrated its strict stance on anti-money laundering enforcement by fining a UK-based betting provider £2.022 million.
Consumers can also use a VPN to skirt the Gambling Commission’s statutes and sign up for offshore gambling platforms. These sites often accept QR payments, which may increase vulnerabilities related to fraud, money laundering, and underage gambling.
The Coalition to End Gambling Ads (CEGA), a government-supported initiative aimed at reducing gambling promotion, observed a growing trend of consumers using both fiat and cryptocurrencies. This suggests potential gaps in current regulatory oversight. CEGA is therefore urging Premier League clubs to cut all ties with unlicensed gambling operators.
The UK Gambling Commission has clarified its position on the unlawful promotion of illegal gambling platforms. The regulator reiterated that clubs flouting the rules are liable to be penalised as per the provisions of the law. Club management could face fines, prosecution, and potential jail time.
With online gambling platforms offering crypto gaming options to UK players using a VPN, football clubs promoting these illegal operations may be tried as colluders. Most of the clubs affected have signed multi-million-pound sponsorship deals with the operators. While breaking these contracts would have severe financial repercussions, failing to comply with the law could lead to criminal proceedings.