NEWS
1 April 2022
Group of EFL and non-league clubs ask Government to ban gambling advertising in football
By Peter Lynch

Gambling advertising in football is one of many issues currently being examined by the government as part of its review of the gambling industry. The reforms of the review are due to be published after Easter.

Many senior figures within the EFL have previously argued against the potential removal of gambling sponsorship within the sport, claiming that many clubs require such sponsorships in order to remain afloat.

But many clubs that do not rely on such partnerships - including Luton, Bolton, Tranmere and Forest Green - have urged the government to remove all gambling advertising within the sport.

“As owners, directors, and executives responsible for our clubs, we have witnessed the harmful growth of gambling sponsorship and advertising in football, including the negative impact on our fans,” the letter stated.

“A ban on gambling logos on shirts would be a significant acceptance of the harm caused, but we would encourage you to include all gambling advertising in stadiums and competition sponsorship so every young fan can go to any football match - home and away - free of inducements to gamble.

“It seems clear to us that our fans, the players and the public, support our stance, with the only barrier seemingly being the financial impact on clubs.”

The letter continued: “This is why we are writing to you today - we want to challenge the notion that football is dependent on gambling advertising revenues.

“As clubs without these partnerships, we can say categorically that we evidently do not need them. We have managed to source other forms of sponsorship and have attracted partnerships because of our socially responsible stance on this issue.”