Almost half of Fulham supporters uncomfortable with gambling sponsor
The Fulham Supporters’ Trust annual survey has found that 46% of fans are uncomfortable with BetVictor as the club’s main sponsor, with 22% refusing to buy the club’s shirt as a result of the partnership with the betting firm.
A total of 1398 fans took part in the survey, which also found that 47% of respondents would support the banning of gambling sponsorship in football altogether, with 36% saying they would like gambling sponsorship to remain in the sport.
The results come amid the UK Government’s ongoing review of the 2005 Gambling Act, in which gambling shirt sponsorships in sport is a major issue of contention. The future of betting sponsorship in the English Premier League is set to be discussed at a shareholders meeting on Thursday, amid concerns that a blanket ban on such sponsorships could be introduced.
Fulham announced a two-year partnership with BetVictor in September 2020, with the company’s logo now featuring on the men’s and women’s first team shirts. The London outfit is one of eight top-flight clubs with gambling firms on their shirts.
The review’s call for evidence will come to an end on 31 March, with reports suggesting that a blanket ban on gambling shirt sponsorship could come to fruition.
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