Entain Calls for Ban on Unlicensed Gambling Sponsorships in Football

Entain, the gambling group behind Ladbrokes and Coral, has urged the UK’s Independent Football Regulator to stop football clubs from accepting sponsorship money from gambling operators without a UK licence.

The company made the call after the regulator closed its latest consultation on a new licensing regime for the top five leagues of English football. Entain wants unlicensed gambling sponsorships to be treated as income connected to “serious criminal conduct”.

According to Entain, up to six Premier League clubs are currently sponsored by gambling operators that do not hold a UK licence or have a local presence. Some offshore brands can appear through white-label deals with licensed companies, while others have no UK licence at all.

Entain CEO Stella David said the regulator should act before the 2026-27 season begins in August. She argued that unlicensed gambling companies targeting UK customers through English football are breaking the law and should not be allowed to use clubs for promotion.

The company also wants clubs to disclose major commercial deals with UK-licensed operators each year. It has called for clearer due diligence rules around gambling partners and stronger focus on reputational risks from sponsorships.

The UK government is already reviewing whether to ban unlicensed gambling sponsorships. However, Entain says the football regulator should not wait for that process to finish.

Entain has also contacted Premier League CEO Richard Masters, asking clubs to introduce a voluntary ban on unlicensed gambling sponsorships before the next season.