Campaigners hit out at ‘cynical’ move to remove front-of-shirt sponsors as Premier League gambling ads soar
Campaigners criticize the Premier League's "cynical" front-of-shirt gambling sponsor ban as new research reveals a 42% rise in gambling ads.Summary
Researchers from the University of Bristol recorded 15,571 gambling advertising messages during the Premier League's opening weekend, a 42% increase since 2023 when the front-of-shirt ban was decided. The ban, effective from the 2026/27 season, has only reduced gambling ads by 10.5%, with branding simply shifting to shirt sleeves and training kits, which saw a 362% increase. Nick Harvey of the Coalition to End Gambling Ads called the ban a "cynical move" and urged a complete end to gambling advertising in football. Dr Raffaello Rossi of the University of Bristol highlighted that pitchside advertising dominates at 72% and criticized the Premier League's self-regulation. The findings will be presented to the All-Party Parliamentary Group for Gambling Reform, with calls for stricter government regulation. A petition with over 27,000 signatures will be delivered to Downing Street. The Premier League defended its voluntary approach, while the DCMS expressed concern over unlicensed operators and plans to ban them from sponsorship deals.
(Source：The Independent)