Bodog Arsenal Sponsorship Deal Could Be Nullified: Premier League Clubs Warned
Premier League clubs have been warned about entering into deals with unlicensed overseas online gambling companies in a move that could cost teams £90m a year in sponsorship revenue.
The Gambling Commission issued the warning at a time in which a three-year, “multimillion pound” sponsorship deal between Arsenal and online gambling firm Bodog has come under scrutiny and could ultimately be nullified. Bodog is not licensed to advertise in the United Kingdom.
Bodog claims it does not advertise in the UK. The deal, instead, focuses on the Asian market where Bodog is based. Arsenal claims it is confident its arrangements with Bodog are not in breach.
In a letter to sports governing bodies, the Gambling Commission, said: “We are aware that in some cases commercial partnership arrangements [which include sponsorship] are in place between sports clubs or bodies and remote gambling operators who do not hold a commission licence. Those operators cannot, in our view, advertise their betting services without both making it clear in the product as advertised and in reality that betting is not available to those in Britain.”
The advertising policy went into effect at the start of this month.
- Aaron Goldstein, Gambling911.com
