Four Premier League clubs have been warned by the Gambling Commission over links to an unlicenced gambling business, per BBC Sport.
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Bournemouth, Wolves, Fulham and Newcastle warnedAll have gambling sponsorsSponsors linked to TGP EuropeFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?
Per the report, Bournemouth, Fulham, Newcastle and Wolves have all been warned by the Gambling Commission, as have Burnley, over their sponsors. All clubs are sponsored by websites run by TGP Europe, which has no licence to operate in Britain after an investigation discovered it had breached "anti-money laundering rules".
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The clubs were each sent a letter warning them that officials face prosecution if they "promote unlicenced gambling businesses that transact with consumers in Great Britain." Bournemouth are sponsored by bj88, Fulham by SBOTOP, Wolves by DEBET and Burnley by 96.com. Fun88, also run by TGP, were Newcastle's shirt sponsors but are now their "Asian betting partner".
WHAT THE GAMBLING COMMISSION SAID
John Pierce, the Gambling Commission's Head of Enforcement, said: "We have already been in contact with several football clubs to highlight the impact of the withdrawal from the market by TGP and make clear that we will be carrying out checks – without further notice – to ensure these sites remain blocked.
"We will also conduct ongoing spot checks as necessary to ensure they are not accessible to consumers in Great Britain by any means. Should any of these sites be available to GB consumers, we will take appropriate action.
"It is essential that football clubs play their part in protecting fans and GB consumers who may be exposed to advertising of these sites through their sponsorship arrangements from harm or exploitation. All licensed operators with similar arrangements to TGP should take notice of the action taken in this case."
AFPWHAT NEXT?
The commission also warned Everton, Nottingham Forest and Leicester about similar links earlier this season, but they have not taken any action to remove said sponsors from their shirts. It is unclear if the four clubs contacted this time around will follow their lead.