Gambling Advertising Issues in the UK: Everton and Leicester Continue Partnership with Unlicensed Operators

What is happening with gambling advertising in the UK?

The issue of gambling advertising in the UK is actively discussed, especially following a complaint filed by the Coalition to End Gambling Ads (CEGA). It concerns two well-known football clubs — Everton and Leicester City — that continue to promote Stake and BCGame. These operators do not hold a license to operate in the UK but remain partners with the clubs, displaying their logos on the players’ football kits.

Licensing Issues

Stake and BCGame operators are still accessible to UK users through VPNs despite formal restrictions. This leads to violations of the law, as both companies have not obtained licenses to operate in the UK. Additionally, companies like Stake attract attention after it was discovered that a user could register on the site by uploading a passport photo of a porn star, which led to the account being blocked. However, this block only occurred an hour after registration.

Response from the Clubs to the Complaint

Representatives of the Everton and Leicester football clubs stated that they fully comply with the requirements of the UK Gambling Commission (GC). Both teams claim that their contracts with the operators are legal, despite the allegations of legal violations. However, such cases raise questions about the regulation of gambling and its advertising in the sports industry.

Impact on the Sports Industry

The continued collaboration of the clubs with unlicensed operators could seriously affect the image of the football teams and raise questions about the ethics of such partnerships. In the context of growing attention to regulating gambling and its advertising in sports clubs, the situation requires careful consideration and possible changes in legislation.

Thus, the issue of gambling advertising in the UK is becoming increasingly relevant, and clubs like Everton and Leicester will be forced to reconsider their contracts with operators.