UK Lords approve Football Governance Bill, reject gambling sponsorship ban

The UK’s Football Governance Bill has passed the House of Lords, moving forward with plans to establish an Independent Football Regulator, but without an amendment that sought to ban gambling sponsorship and advertising in English football.  

The proposal for amendment, introduced by Lord Addington, was defeated by 339 votes to 74, as peers debated the financial and ethical implications of betting’s role in the sport.  

Addington, a Liberal Democrat peer, said that football should distance itself from gambling-related advertising, arguing that “English football must not promote or engage in advertising or sponsorship related to gambling”.

His amendment would have required the new regulator to prohibit gambling sponsorship and advertising across English football, a move that would have gone beyond the Premier League’s self-imposed ban on front-of-shirt betting sponsorships from the 2026/27 season.  

However, the proposal did not gain enough support, with some Lords questioning whether the Football Governance Bill was the right legislative vehicle to tackle gambling-related concerns.  

The debate highlighted contrasting views on the role of gambling sponsorship in football.  

Baroness Taylor of Bolton voiced concerns about betting’s influence and "some of the tactics used by gambling companies to suck people into becoming addicted."

However, Baroness Fox of Buckley warned against cutting off a major revenue stream, particularly for clubs outside the Premier League: “One of the aims of the Bill is that the football regulator will help clubs, particularly smaller clubs, become financially sustainable and avoid financial jeopardy. So why would we cut off a perfectly legitimate source of funding?”  

The English Football League (EFL), which oversees clubs in the Championship, League One, and League Two, remains heavily reliant on gambling sponsorship. The EFL’s current partnership with Sky Bet runs until 2029, providing crucial financial support to lower-league clubs.  

The Football Governance Bill, backed by the UK government, must now pass the House of Commons before becoming law. If approved, it will introduce an Independent Football Regulator to oversee financial sustainability and governance within the sport.  

EFL Chairman Rick Parry, a strong supporter of the bill, said: “Football is not doing a great job of self-regulation. Getting [this bill] out as soon as possible is a game-changer.”  

He suggested that the bill could become law as early as June or July 2025.  

The rejection of Addington’s amendment does not mean the debate over gambling sponsorship in football is over.  

The 2023 UK Gambling White Paper introduced a Code of Conduct for betting sponsorships in sports, but some reform advocates argue that a total ban—similar to those implemented in the Netherlands, Belgium, and Spain—is necessary.  

While the Premier League has already moved to restrict gambling sponsorship, concerns remain about football’s exposure to betting ads and its impact on fans and players.