TGP Europe Withdraws UK Licence, Casting Doubt on Football Sponsorship Agreements
In a significant development, TGP Europe has officially relinquished its white label licence granted by the UK Gambling Commission, following a substantial £3.3 million fine resulting from a thorough investigation into its operations and several football sponsorship agreements.
The company, previously involved in various sponsorships with prominent UK football clubs such as AFC Bournemouth, Fulham, Newcastle United, Wolverhampton Wanderers, and Burnley, is now at the center of a major regulatory storm. Notably, TGP’s bj-88.co.uk brand had secured a front-of-shirt sponsorship deal with AFC Bournemouth covering the 2024-25 and 2025-26 Premier League seasons just last July.
Recently, the UK Gambling Commission reached out to the clubs involved, alerting them to the potential risks of inadvertently promoting unlicensed gambling platforms. This correspondence emphasized the need for clubs to ensure compliance and conduct thorough due diligence concerning their white label affiliates.
The regulator indicated its serious concerns regarding TGP’s oversight of 29 associated websites, which included names like Duelbits.co.uk and Fun88.co.uk. It accused the operator of inadequate checks on its business partners and lapses in adhering to anti-money laundering protocols.
After the sizeable penalty was imposed, TGP decided to forgo its right to operate in the UK rather than implementing the necessary reforms to align its practices with regulatory expectations.
Investigative Findings and Wider Implications
The Gambling Commission’s investigation revealed alarming lapses in TGP’s operational integrity. It underscored that the company had not appropriately vetted the ownership structures of third-party entities with which it collaborated, nor had it scrutinized the financial origins linked to its business transactions. This oversight raised red flags about potential money laundering risks and the legality of the activities associated with its partners.
Following TGP’s exit from the market, the Gambling Commission warned that various online gambling entities would no longer have the legal authority to serve consumers in Great Britain. “These platforms, which formerly operated under TGP’s licence, may lack the necessary safeguards to protect against criminal activities and gambling-related harm,” stated John Pierce, Head of Enforcement at the Gambling Commission.
The commission urged the public to consult its official register to verify which online platforms are licensed and thus safe for transactions, as the former TGP-associated websites now pose potential risks to consumers.
TGP’s issues aren’t isolated; the operator had faced previous penalties in 2023 for various compliance failures and was issued a £316,250 fine along with an official warning from the Gambling Commission.
This recent blow to TGP Europe raises critical questions about the integrity of white label sponsorship deals in English football. These sponsorships have been under scrutiny by both the UK government and the Gambling Commission, especially concerning non-UK licensed operators that have made arrangements with UK sports teams.
Future of Football Sponsorship in Question
As discussions surrounding white label sponsorships evolve, UK gambling minister Baroness Twycross highlighted during a recent GambleAware conference that these structures are currently being examined. Concerns have intensified following revelations of other operators, like the Curaçao-licensed BC Game, facing legal challenges and bankruptcy due to non-compliance issues.
Twycross emphasized that if further measures are deemed necessary, the government will take appropriate actions to address the weaknesses in current legislation regarding gambling sponsorships.
The fallout from TGP’s actions may well prompt a reassessment of the regulatory framework governing football sponsorships, potentially leading to stricter compliance measures to safeguard the industry and its stakeholders in the UK.