Five Premier League Clubs Face Sponsor Crisis Following TGP Europe Surrendering Licences

TGP Europe has officially surrendered its UK Gambling Commission white label licence following a significant £3.3 million penalty imposed by the regulator. This development places numerous Premier League sponsorships under intense scrutiny, with several high-profile clubs now facing potential legal exposure over their commercial relationships with gambling operators.

The UK Gambling Commission’s investigation into TGP Europe uncovered widespread failings in due diligence, anti-money laundering controls, and third-party risk assessments. Rather than enact the sweeping operational changes demanded by the regulator, TGP opted to forfeit its UK operating rights, effectively severing its connection to 29 white label betting sites active in Great Britain.

Sponsorship Fallout: Premier League Clubs in the Spotlight

TGP Europe’s white label partnerships extended to several UK football clubs, including:

• AFC Bournemouth
• Newcastle United
• Wolverhampton Wanderers
• Fulham
• Burnley

Of particular note is the bj-88.co.uk deal with AFC Bournemouth, which secured front-of-shirt sponsorship rights for the 2024/25 and 2025/26 Premier League seasons. Following the Gambling Commission’s announcement, these partnerships are now in jeopardy, with affected clubs at risk of unintentionally promoting unlicensed gambling services — a breach that could trigger regulatory penalties of their own.

The Gambling Commission has formally contacted the relevant clubs, demanding evidence that appropriate due diligence was carried out before entering into these sponsorship agreements. The regulator has stated its intent to hold clubs accountable should consumers in Great Britain be exposed to unauthorised gambling platforms via these partnerships.

Regulatory Findings: TGP’s Failure to Meet Licence Conditions

The Commission’s enforcement action was the result of a thorough investigation into TGP Europe’s operations. It found the following breaches:

• Inadequate due diligence on the ownership structures of third-party partners
• Failure to assess the legitimacy of financial sources used in business arrangements
• Neglect in evaluating money laundering risks, in contravention of UK compliance obligations
• Insufficient oversight of third-party activity, including a failure to determine whether their conduct breached UK laws

The regulator concluded that these failings posed a serious risk to consumers and left the UK market exposed to potential criminal exploitation. As a result, TGP was directed to implement remedial measures. However, rather than address these deficiencies, the operator surrendered its licence voluntarily.

Impact on UK Gambling Market: Immediate Disruption

The licence surrender has rendered all gambling websites previously operating under TGP Europe’s umbrella unlawful in Great Britain. Among these domains are:

• Duelbits.co.uk
• Betvision.com
• Fun88.co.uk
• Leyubet.co.uk
• Oubao.co.uk

In light of these changes, consumers have been urged to consult the Gambling Commission’s public register to ensure they do not inadvertently use illegal platforms. The Commission emphasised that these now-unlicensed sites may not offer safeguards against criminal activity or gambling-related harm.

“These sites… may not provide adequate protection against criminal activity or gambling-related harm and should not be available to GB consumers with immediate effect.”
— John Pierce, Head of Enforcement, UK Gambling Commission

White Label Sponsorship Model Under Renewed Scrutiny

The controversy surrounding TGP reignites longstanding concerns about the white label model within the UK’s gambling industry. Under this system, foreign operators without a UK licence can enter the market via partnerships with UK-licensed entities, allowing them to sponsor sports teams and target British consumers legally.

This workaround has been a focal point of investigations by both the Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) and the UK Gambling Commission. The collapse of TGP’s UK operations adds momentum to calls for reform and tighter regulation.

In a keynote address at a recent GambleAware conference, Gambling Minister Baroness Twycross confirmed that the white label framework remains under active review. She warned that, where necessary, “further action” will be taken to close loopholes and protect consumers.

Broader Context: Industry Crackdowns and International Fallout

TGP Europe is not the only operator facing consequences under enhanced scrutiny. The case of BC Game, a Curacao-licensed platform, demonstrates the international reach of regulatory efforts. Declared bankrupt for failing to pay players and found to be operating illegally, BC Game recently withdrew from the Curacao market, citing its “increasingly hostile” regulatory environment.

Such developments illustrate a growing intolerance among global regulators toward operators that fail to meet social responsibility standards and AML obligations.

Future of Football Gambling Sponsorships in the UK

The collapse of TGP Europe’s UK operations may serve as a catalyst for the Gambling Commission to re-examine white label licensing entirely. With multiple football clubs now exposed to reputational and legal risks, the case underscores the urgent need for greater transparency and accountability in sports sponsorships involving gambling firms.

We anticipate that more clubs will be prompted to reconsider their partnerships, placing emphasis on rigorous due diligence, full compliance audits, and ethical sponsorship practices moving forward. The Commission’s willingness to impose substantial penalties sets a precedent that is likely to deter future licensing abuses and reinforce regulatory discipline across the industry.