Asian Bookies Under Scrutiny as UK Tightens Betting Sponsor Rules

The UK Department for Culture, Media and Sport has opened a consultation on unlicensed gambling sponsorship. The proposed statutory ban would prevent brands without a Great Britain license from sponsoring UK sports, teams, and venues. This move aims to close a loophole allowing offshore, Asian-facing operators to gain exposure on British broadcasts.

This government proposal is separate from the Premier League's voluntary decision to remove gambling logos from the front of shirts starting in the 2026/27 season. The statutory ban would apply across all levels of UK sport, targeting brands like SBOBET, Dafabet, 12BET, and BK8 that utilize European football to reach audiences in restricted Asian markets.