Birmingham City Partners with Unlicensed Bookmaker: Investigation Details
The football club Birmingham City has found itself at the center of a scandal after it was revealed that their new partner, the bookmaker GOD55, does not hold valid licenses.
Despite the operator’s claims of holding licenses from authorities like the MGA (Malta), PAGCOR (Philippines), and CGA (Curacao), an independent investigation showed that these licenses are not legitimate.
Partnership with GOD55: False Claims About Licenses
In early April 2025, Birmingham City announced a partnership with GOD55, an Asian online betting operator. However, shortly after the announcement, reports began to surface about the false claims made by the company.
GOD55 had claimed to have licenses from three major gaming regulators: the Malta Gaming Authority (MGA), the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR), and Curacao.
However, the investigation revealed that none of these bodies had issued licenses for operators targeting the Asian market.
Investigation Details
- MGA does not license the operator: The Malta Gaming Authority officially confirmed that it does not issue licenses to companies operating in the Asian region, making GOD55’s claim false.
- Lack of verification by the club: The investigation found that the club did not conduct a proper background check on the partner, which is a violation of British gambling standards. The UK Gambling Commission (UKGC) requires clubs to carry out such checks before entering into agreements with betting operators.
- Misleading advertising: The press release issued by the club, at the time of writing the article, was unavailable, but it previously stated that GOD55 is “one of the largest and most reliable brands in online gaming.” These words were called into question after the false claims surfaced.
Impact on the Club’s Reputation
This incident has been a blow to Birmingham City’s reputation, which had been showing excellent on-field results in recent months and strong potential for promotion to the Championship.
The failure to conduct proper due diligence before partnering with GOD55 could affect the club’s image and its relationships with fans and partners.
Issues in English Football
There have been multiple incidents in English football involving foreign gambling companies that do not hold licenses to operate in the UK. Examples include the clubs Nottingham Forest and Crystal Palace, which have also faced claims from the UKGC due to partnerships with illegal operators in the past.
What Happens Next?
At the time of writing, Birmingham City has not commented on the situation, but it is expected that the investigation will continue. This case could impact the club’s future relationships with other partners and lead to necessary internal changes in the club’s management.