Premiership clubs sweat on new gambling laws
tribalfooball.com - December 08, 2006
Premier League clubs will discover in the New Year whether they will be allowed to have online betting companies as their shirt sponsors.
Blackburn, Middlesbrough, Aston Villa and Tottenham have all recently signed deals with online betting firms.
On Thursday evening, sports minister Richard Caborn announced to the House of Commons an inquiry by the Gambling Commission into the issue after concerns the sponsorship could attract vulnerable youngsters.
Caborn said: "There is a grey area at the moment and the inquiry is to see whether it should be allowed.
"There's a difference between broadcasting and non-broadcasting advertising with regard to gambling. The question is whether that, given the coverage of Premiership football on television, whether such shirt sponsorship should be regarded as advertising on TV.
"There is also an issue with youngsters' replica shirts carrying the same branding and we will have an inquiry early in the New Year.
"The Gambling Commission have got my full support to look at this issue."
Labour MP Ben Chapman, who raised the issue in the House, said he will submit evidence to the inquiry.
He said: "It is crucial that we take steps to protect children and the vulnerable from being targeted, and the glamorous nature of top-flight football means we should be extra cautious about allowing gambling companies to be associated with it."