Five Premier League sides warned of risks of promoting unlicensed gambling sites

The UK Gambling Commission has warned officials of Newcastle United, Wolverhampton Wanderers, Bournemouth, Fulham and Burnley that they face potential prison terms if they allow their clubs to promote unlicensed betting companies through sponsorship deals.

The warning came after TGP Europe, which is linked to various clubs through ‘white label’ companies, surrendered its licence after a Gambling Commission investigation.
The decision means those clubs now have sponsorship deals with companies unlicensed in the UK.

The Gambling Commission said in a statement on Friday that it wrote to the clubs on Thursday: “The letter warns that club officers may be liable to prosecution and, if convicted, face a fine, imprisonment or both if they promote unlicensed gambling businesses that transact with consumers in Great Britain.”

TGP Europe was told it needed to pay a £3.3million ($4.4m) penalty for failing to carry out sufficient checks and breaching anti-money laundering rules. Instead, the company chose to surrender its licences and leave the UK market after the commission said it had failed to carry out effective due diligence on the ownership and funding of third-party companies, failed to consider money laundering risks and failed to consider any act by a third party that might be illegal.

TGP, which is based in the Isle of Man according to its website, provided licences for a host of ‘white label’ betting firms with deals to sponsor football clubs. White label firms obtain licences from the UK Gambling Commission to operate in Britain but primarily target markets overseas, sometimes in countries where gambling is illegal.

TGP’s exit from the UK market means those five Premier League clubs now have deals with unlicensed companies. The commission says it has contacted them to warn of the risks of promoting unlicensed gambling websites.

John Pierce, the commission’s head of enforcement, said: “This case involves a gambling company that was unwilling or unable to meet the regulatory standards we expect from our licensees. It is right that they have now exited the British market.

“Following TGP’s exit, several online gambling operators can no longer lawfully offer gambling facilities to consumers located in Great Britain. These sites, previously operating under TGP’s licence, may not provide adequate protection against criminal activity or gambling-related harm and should not be available to GB consumers with immediate effect.

“We have already been in contact with several football clubs today to highlight the impact of the withdrawal from the market by TGP and make clear that we will be carrying out checks — without further notice — to ensure these sites remain blocked.

“We will also conduct ongoing spot checks as necessary to ensure they are not accessible to consumers in Great Britain by any means. Should any of these sites be available to GB consumers, we will take appropriate action.

“It is essential that football clubs play their part in protecting fans and GB consumers who may be exposed to advertising of these sites through their sponsorship arrangements from harm or exploitation. All licensed operators with similar arrangements to TGP should take notice of the action taken in this case.”

In February, Everton, Nottingham Forest and Leicester City were warned by the Gambling Commission over their sponsorship deals. Forest and Crystal Palace were also warned in July 2024.

Wolves and Newcastle declined to comment. TGP, Bournemouth, Fulham and Burnley have been contacted for comment.

Additional reporting: Chris Waugh, Andy Jones

(Top photo: Stu Forster/Getty Images)