*This is an evolving story. This piece was edited on May 16 to show TGP Europe had left the market.
Several Premier League clubs face sponsorship uncertainty as TGP Europe, which powers multiple UK-licensed gambling operators through its white label service, has left the market following regulatory action.
TGP Europe surrendered its licence after being fined £3.3m for failing to properly vet business partners and breaching anti-money laundering rules. The UK Gambling Commisson demanded significant improvements for the company to continue operating in Great Britain, but TGP chose to exit the market instead.
News first circled after it was found several TGP-hosted websites went offline or displayed maintenance messages, raising questions about the company’s future, as reported by iGaming Expert.
The affected Premier League sponsorships include Newcastle United (Sportsbetio.uk), Fulham (SBOTOP), Leicester City (BCGame), AFC Bournemouth (bj88), and Wolverhampton Wanderers (DEBET).
Championship side Hull City and soon-to-be Premier League club Burnley are also affected due to their respective deals with Sportsbet.io and 96.com.
In a statement on May 15, the Gambling Commission said: “The Commission yesterday contacted AFC Bournemouth, Fulham FC, Newcastle United FC, Wolverhampton Wanderers FC and Burnley FC warning of the risks of promoting unlicensed gambling websites.”
TGP Europe has quietly been one of the most prominent forces behind Premier League gambling sponsorships in recent years.
Beyond the current partnerships under scrutiny, TGP Europe previously worked with Kaiyun Sports, a gambling brand that sponsors Nottingham Forest and previously Crystal Palace, and Aston Villa.
However, Kaiyun ceased operating under the TGP umbrella in July 2024. That development prompted further concerns, with the UK Gambling Commission (UKGC) reportedly urging clubs to reconsider their sponsorship strategies.
In recent years, English football has seen a wave of sponsorships from Asia-facing gambling brands, many of which hold no licence to operate in the UK.
Most recently, Insider Sport revealed Birmingham City had partnered with God55, a company falsely claiming to be licensed. The deal was terminated just days after its announcement.
While the UKGC takes a dim view of partnerships with unlicensed operators, its ability to act is limited unless those sites actively offer gambling services to UK customers. This regulatory gap was highlighted in February when Everton’s front-of-shirt sponsor, Stake, lost its UK licence.
Disappointment towards these deals isn’t just coming from regulators but also supporters, with many fans questioning the value of these agreements past the obvious monetary gain.
This scrutiny comes ahead of a broader shift in the sponsorship landscape. The incoming ban on front-of-shirt gambling sponsors in the Premier League, set to take effect from the 2026/27 season, is expected to force many clubs to rethink their commercial strategies.
Insider Sport has approached AFC Bournemouth, Fulham, Leicester City and Wolverhampton Wanderers for comment.
