UK government proposes ban on unlicensed casino sponsorships for sports teams from 2027

The UK government has launched an eight‑week consultation on banning unlicensed casinos from sponsoring sports teams, with the ban potentially taking effect as early as August 2027.

• The government announced the proposed ban, which would make commercial deals with unlicensed gambling operators a criminal offence.
• Gambling minister Fiona Twycross said that although most sectors and sports will be unaffected, some sports or clubs will be impacted.
• Everton FC, which signed a sleeve sponsorship with unlicensed crypto casino Stake.com in June, faces losing at least one year of the three‑year deal if the ban is enforced by 2028.
• Premier League clubs Chelsea, Ipswich Town, and Fulham also have sponsorship agreements with unlicensed operators.