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The UK government has announced plans to ban unlicensed gambling operators from sponsoring British sports clubs. Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy confirmed that a consultation will launch this spring to explore legal measures driving unlicensed companies away from visibility in British sports.
The move follows the collapse of TGP Europe, which previously held UK licenses for several Asia-facing operators including SBOTOP, bj88, DEBET, and others. When TGP surrendered its license in April 2025, Premier League clubs were left promoting operators with no actual UK presence.
The Department for Culture, Media and Sport highlighted that these deals are not currently unlawful as long as gambling services cannot be accessed by UK customers. The spring consultation will target this loophole and attempt to eradicate sponsorship deals with unlicensed companies altogether.
Lisa Nandy stated: “When placing a bet on the big match, fans deserve to know the sites they’re using are properly regulated. It’s not right that unlicensed gambling operators can sponsor some of our biggest football clubs.”
The Betting and Gaming Council voiced support for the initiative, noting that licensed operators follow strict consumer protection rules while unlicensed operators fuel the harmful black market. The announcement follows the recent formation of an Illegal Gambling Taskforce led by Gambling Minister Baroness Twycross.
Baroness Twycross added: “We know the real harm that unregulated gambling can cause. This consultation shows how seriously this government is taking the issue.”
In the long run, the move could help the licensed industry win back credibility for sports sponsorships. However, with tax increases projected in April 2026, the full impact on sports partnerships remains uncertain.
