Entain flags 11 PL clubs over unlicensed sponsors
Entain cites H2 Gambling Capital forecasts of UK black market betting stakes nearly doubling to over £33bn by 2028.
The hit
Entain has renewed calls for the UK government to immediately ban sports sponsorship deals with unlicensed gambling operators. The Ladbrokes and Coral owner says 11 of the 20 current Premier League clubs hold sponsorship or advertising arrangements with operators lacking a UK licence. Entain CEO Stella David said “Inconvenience is not an excuse for inaction.”
Why it matters
Bettors using unlicensed sites lose the player protection and anti-money laundering checks licensed firms must run. Entain cites H2 Gambling Capital data forecasting UK black market stakes nearly doubling from £17bn in 2025 to over £33bn by 2028, and its own research finding over 80% of consumers cannot tell licensed operators from unlicensed ones.
The record
The government’s second consultation on sponsorship ran from 15 July to 9 September, following an initial review in February. The current timeline would enforce a ban by August 2027. Entain’s tally of 11 unlicensed-sponsor clubs is above the government’s own estimate of eight. Named deals include Sunderland’s sleeve partnership with Shuffle, a firm without a UK licence, Everton’s with Stake, which exited the UK market in early 2025, Chelsea’s with 8XBet, Tottenham Hotspur’s with VSBet and Nottingham Forest’s with FUN88.
| Unlicensed-sponsor clubs (Entain count) | 11 of 20 |
|---|---|
| Government estimate | 8 clubs |
| Planned ban enforcement | August 2027 |
| UK black market stakes, 2025 | £17bn |
| Forecast black market stakes, 2028 | over £33bn |
What happens next
Watch for a DCMS response to the consultation, which closed on 9 September, and whether ministers move the August 2027 ban date forward as Entain is demanding.
Sources: Entain renews calls for unlicensed sponsorship ban
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