Sorare faces trial for alleged UK gambling law violations

Sorare continues to dispute the charges, arguing that its business model does not fall under UK gambling laws.

football website
Listen To Article

Key points:

- Sorare pleads not guilty to three charges of providing unlicensed gambling activities in the UK

- The company maintains it does not require a gambling license for its operations in Britain

- A seven-day trial is scheduled for June 2025

Premier League partner Sorare has pleaded not guilty to three charges of providing unlicensed gambling activities to British consumers.

The case, brought forward by the Gambling Commission, will go to trial next summer in Birmingham Magistrates' Court.

The French-based company, represented by its barrister, entered formal not guilty pleas at a recent court hearing. Sorare maintains that it does not require a licence to operate in Britain, asserting that it does not provide gambling facilities to UK users.

The charges allege that Sorare offered "a remote facility for gambling to consumers within Great Britain, without holding a licence" over three separate periods between 7 February 2022 and 5 April 2024. These actions potentially violate the 2005 Gambling Act.

Good to know: In January 2023, the Premier League announced a four-year deal with Sorare, allowing the company to release digital cards of players from all 20 Premier League clubs

A spokesperson for Sorare denied the claims, stating that the Gambling Commission has misunderstood their business model, stating: “We are aware of the claims made by the Gambling Commission and have instructed our UK counsel to challenge them.

“We firmly deny any claims that Sorare is a gambling product under UK laws. The commission has misunderstood our business and wrongly determined that gambling laws apply to Sorare. We cannot comment further whilst legal proceedings are underway.”

The case has attracted attention due to Sorare's high-profile partnerships and investors. In January 2023, for example, the Premier League announced a four-year deal with Sorare, allowing the company to release digital cards of players from all 20 Premier League clubs as part of its online fantasy football game.

The company also holds partnerships with several major European football leagues, club teams and national teams.

The trial, scheduled to begin on 16 June 2025, is expected to last seven days and will be an important test case for industry standards going forward.

Premium+ Connections
Premium
 
Premium
 
Premium
 
Premium
 
Premium
 
Premium
 
Premium
 
Premium
 
 
Premium
 
Premium
 
Premium
 
 
 
Premium
 
Premium
 
Premium
 
Premium Connections
Consultancy
Executive Profiles
Evolution
Crown Resorts
Relax Gaming
Follow Us

Facing Facts: Analysing figures from emerging gambling markets

Where is the gambling market on the rise, and are there any...

Taking Stock: A guide to lottery/iLottery operator and supplier prices

Gambling Insider tracks lottery/iLottery operator and suppli...

New Horizons Cover Feature: United Arab Emirates

With its first land-based casino set to open in 2027 and a n...

New Horizons Cover Feature: Brazil

Brazil performed quite the feat by getting its heavily delay...

The best of Malta at the Global Gaming Awards

Powered by Gambling Insider, the Global Gaming Awards are th...

Preview: SiGMA Malta 2024

A place in the winter sun: SiGMA returns to the home of iGa...

Company profile: Soft2Bet

Bill 55: Advantages and challenges for Maltese operators in...

Company profile: DS Virtual Gaming

DS Virtual Gaming is a leader in the gaming industry, utilis...