The UK Department for Culture, Media and Sport opened a consultation on preventing unlicensed gambling operators from sponsoring sports, according to a report. The department identified August 2027 as the timing for a potential ban and said existing legislation undermines gambling licensing and advertising rules.
The consultation could lead to restrictions on sponsorship deals involving unlicensed gambling operators.
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The Department for Culture, Media and Sport is expected to consult this week on proposals to bar unlicensed gambling operators from sponsoring British sports teams, reportedly. The move follows Everton’s three-year sleeve sponsorship agreement with Stake.com, which does not hold a UK gambling licence. The proposals have been on hold since February, when DCMS indicated a formal review would begin in spring.
The UK government is reportedly preparing a public consultation on restricting sports sponsorship by gambling operators without a UK Gambling Commission licence. The proposal would not cover licensed operators; the report also says Italy’s ADM has again listed Polymarket among blocked sites, putting its sponsorship agreement with S.S. Lazio under scrutiny, with no official action against the club reported.
Reportedly, Entain urged the UK government to prohibit sponsorships by unlicensed gambling operators without delay. The government was launching a consultation on restricting those arrangements with local sports teams.
The UK government is reportedly starting a consultation this week on possible changes to rules for sponsorship deals between sports clubs and unlicensed gambling firms. The consultation follows an earlier commitment by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport to review the rules; such sponsorship deals are not currently prohibited, although unlicensed firms cannot offer gambling to UK consumers.
The UK government is preparing a consultation on whether to close a legal exemption allowing overseas betting brands without UK licences to sponsor British sports teams, reportedly expected to begin in July 2026. The review follows renewed scrutiny after Everton agreed a three-year shirt-sleeve deal with Stake.com; the government has not yet set out proposed changes.