Fulham Announce Gambling Sponsorship Deal Despite Impending Ban
Newly promoted Fulham have announced a “record sponsorship” deal with betting company W88 despite an impending voluntary ban on gambling sponsorship. Premier League clubs are expected to greenlight proposals to introduce restrictions on front-of-shirt this year to prevent government intervention.
Fulham Agree Deal With W88 © Pixabay.
Premier League new boys Fulham have signed a front-of-shirt deal with betting company W88. The London side has confirmed the agreement with the Asia-facing operator for a “record sponsorship” fee.
The agreement, which covers both the men’s and women’s home and away shirts, will feature the betting company’s logo in time for the new season, which starts on 5 August. Fulham was previously sponsored by World Mobile, a blockchain telecommunications network provider.
The deal will see W88 branding displayed at Craven Cottage, Fulham’s 19,359 capacity stadium, where they have played since 1896. The company branding will also be present on Fulham’s digital platforms, and the pair will create unique digital and social content.
W88 business development manager, Hilly Ehrlich, said: “We are looking forward to engaging with [Fulham’s] passionate global fanbase during the season ahead and delivering innovative content with the club.”
Jon Don-Carolis, Fulham FC sales director, also praised the deal, saying: “We’re pleased to welcome W88 on board as main team partner this season in a record sponsorship for the club.
“The deal provides significant revenue to assist with our commercial objectives, enabling us to compete in a challenging and exciting Premier League campaign.”
W88 are no strangers to sponsoring Premier League teams, having had deals with Wolves (2019), Aston Villa (2020), and two years with Crystal Palace between 2020 and 2022.
The deal is unlikely to prove popular with some of their supporters as many oppose gambling companies being involved with their football team.
On Reddit, one Fulham fan, Darth_Revan_ posted, “What do you guys think is the best way to voice dissatisfaction with gambling sponsors to the club? I can’t stand them and I’m sure you would agree that they should have no place on our kits? Some clubs sell shirts without the sponsor, but I’m sure this won’t be available. Just very disappointed with this decision by the club.”
The post received a 93% upvote rating and 20 comments within a few hours.
Fulham’s decision to accept a front-of-shirt deal with a gambling company is a surprise as Premier League clubs are under increasing pressure to ditch betting companies due to the gambling-related problems they can cause.
This week, over 100 people harmed by gambling wrote an open letter to all 20 Premier League clubs asking them to vote for a ban on gambling sponsorships ahead of September’s Premier League shareholder meeting.
The letter starts: “We are writing to you as a group of over 100 people harmed by gambling to urge you to vote to end gambling sponsorship.”
“We are people who have been addicted to gambling, who have been negatively affected by someone else’s gambling or who have lost loved ones to gambling-related suicide.”
“Public Health England estimates that there are 409 deaths related to gambling every year in England alone, while a YouGov study from this year shows that 2.9 million people are either already addicted or at risk of being so, with a further 3.3 million classified as “affected others”.
“These stark figures show what we already know: gambling harm is not an issue affecting just a small minority, it is severely harming – sometimes killing — many in your community.”
The letter also takes aim at the UK Government, which has again delayed the release of its white paper on gambling regulation.
It continues: “We are saddened that the Gambling Act review white paper has been delayed yet again, but the government are delaying the inevitable. We are in no doubt that one government one day will do what multiple European countries such as Spain, Italy, Belgium and the Netherlands have already done and restrict the obscene levels of gambling marketing in football.”
You can read the complete statement on the Gambling with Lives’ The Big Step website.
