One of the issues the U.K. government will examine in its review of gambling in the weeks ahead relates to the sponsorship of football clubs by sportsbooks. Anti-gambling groups insist such sponsorships by betting companies contribute to an increase in gambling addiction.
But Rick Parry, chairman of the English Football League, counters that a ban on these sponsors could hurt smaller football clubs, according to Flexi-News. The EFL is sponsored by Sky Bet, and Parry will argue to the government review that the rise of problem gambling is not the result of football sponsorships.
With ticket sales down in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic, small clubs don’t have global fan bases to recover like other larger clubs. Banning gambling sponsorships can lead to more than £40 million (US$54.8 million) in lost revenue, which clubs in the league cannot make up, Parry said.
Gambling companies sponsor shirts for 24 clubs in the Championship so a ban would be catastrophic, he said.
