20 English Soccer Teams Get behind Initiative to Ban Gambling Ads

Posted on: April 1, 2022, 06:16h. 

Last updated on: April 1, 2022, 06:16h.

The love-hate relationship between sports and gambling is beginning to emphasize the latter half more. A large pool of soccer teams in the UK wants the country to ban all gambling advertising in sports.

As an industry, you know you’re in trouble when the partner you support with hundreds of millions of dollars annually no longer wants you. That seems to be what’s going on in the UK.

A debate over the relationship between sports and gambling advertising, including sponsorships, has been in place in the country for several years. Despite the financial benefits they receive, more soccer teams are urging lawmakers to make drastic changes.

UK Sports to Cut Down on Gambling Ads

The UK is close to presenting its updated gambling laws for final approval. Changes to how gambling companies are able to advertise are among the many reforms coming. Nigel Huddleston, the Parliamentary Undersecretary for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, believes that advertising is a worthwhile component, as it separates the licensed from the unlicensed players.

Huddleston may be in the minority. There is a large push for stricter controls on gambling ads coming from all sectors. A number of soccer teams are joining that push.

English Football League (EFL) and non-affiliated teams – 20 in total – penned a letter to lawmakers this week, according to the Daily Mail. In it, they call for a complete ban on gambling advertising in soccer. This would include sponsorships and branding deals.

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,” states a group of UK soccer teams in a letter to the government.

Luton, Bolton, Tranmere and Forest Green, as well as others, signed the letter. They assert that they want to show that soccer can survive without revenue from gambling advertising.

The teams aren’t alone in their position. This week, Kylian Mbappé had voluntarily refused to attend various events of the French national team with some sponsors. The popular PSG striker has made it clear that he does not want to participate in advertising campaigns with bookmakers because they are an “addiction for young children.”

Not All EFL Teams Agree

Although there is significant support from soccer teams for the ban, not everyone agrees. Some EFL bosses point out that they are strapped for cash and that new sponsorship deals aren’t pouring in. The income they receive through gambling sponsorships and advertising is what helps keep them afloat.

There’s no doubt that the new gambling laws in the UK will include changes to how gambling companies interact with consumers. A complete ban, however, is likely not in the cards. If teams feel they can stay financially solid without assistance from the sector, they can choose not to sign any deals.

Cutting off the entire gambling industry, however, would do more harm than good. Some teams would have to make up for the losses any way possible. Additionally, consumers won’t have the benefit of readily distinguishing between licensed and unlicensed platforms.