UK could ban sponsorship deals between betting firms and football clubs
“Shirt sponsorship sends out a message that football clubs don't take problem gambling among their own fans seriously enough. It puts gambling brands in front of fans of all ages, not just at matches but on broadcasts and highlights packages on both commercial television and the BBC,” said Deputy Leader of the Labour Party, Tom Watson, in a report quoted by The Guardian website.
Under current legislation, UK's Football Association already prohibits youth teams from wearing clothing that displays products considered “detrimental to the welfare, health or general interests of young persons” -including gambling. However, Watson is asking to extend this logic to the rest of football clubs.
The politician argued the recent rise in the number of problem gamblers reported by the Gambling Commission should be a good reason to distance football from gambling.
“With new evidence showing gambling addiction rising, at huge cost to individuals and their families, to society and to the taxpayer, the clubs should follow the FA's lead,” he noted.
Newcastle, West Ham and Everton are some of the football clubs that currently have sponsorship agreements with different betting companies.
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