English Premier League Clubs Warned Over 'Unlicensed' Overseas Betting Deals

The U.K.'s national gambling regulator has warned the FA "about the dangers of sponsorship deals between Premier League clubs and unlicensed overseas gambling firms," in a move that could cost the league as much as £90M ($141M) a year in sponsorship revenue, according to Jamie Merrill of the London INDEPENDENT. The warning from the Gambling Commission comes as it emerged that a three-year, “multimillion pound” deal between Arsenal and gambling firm Bodog may be called into question after it emerged the Canada-based firm did not have the license to advertise to British gamblers. According to the provisions of the Gambling Act 2014, overseas gambling operators "must have a licence with the Gambling Commission to sell into the British market." Bodog said that "it does not advertise in the United Kingdom" (INDEPENDENT, 11/17).