In the UK, gambling operators have been under fire by lawmakers for years and the noose has definitely been tightening lately. But while the government assaults the industry, one UK institution is proudly embracing its connections to the gambling world and says their relationship isn’t going anywhere anytime soon. The organization in question is the Premier League and their close ties with gambling are, according to Premier League Chief Richard Masters, here to stay.
In a recent interview with the UK Guardian, Richards defended the Premier League’s relationship with gambling operators and the various clubs’ rights to conduct business in a manner they see fit. “We’re certainly not sniffy about it; it’s up to our clubs whether they want to have their own gambling relationships.”
Premier League clubs aren’t sniffy about their relationships with gambling operators either. All 20 Premier League clubs have established relationships with the gaming business. Currently, ten Premier League clubs have gambling operators as their main sponsors.
Richards also brushes off allegations that his organization and the gambling industry have changed or “gamified” football in the UK. “Sport and gambling have a long association,” he says.
That doesn’t, however, mean that Richards isn’t open to change of one kind or another when it comes to gambling. He says the League will be part of an upcoming review of gambling policies by the UK government. “We’ll be welcome participants in that … I think this area does need stronger governance, particularly to protect the vulnerable. I don’t think the answer coming out at the end of it should be that football clubs shouldn’t have shirts sponsored by gambling companies, but … we will certainly cooperate with the review,” he said.