Everton officers set for ‘imprisonment’ warning amid major Stake update
Everton club officers have been warned they could face imprisonment following an investigation into a shirt-sponsor by the Gambling Commission.
Gambling operator, Stake, who are the front-of-shirt sponsors for Everton, will be ceasing operations in the UK following a regulatory investigation into their advertising practices.
Stake have sponsored the Toffees since the 2022/23 season, and have been under investigation from both the Gambling Commission and the Advertising Standards Agency (ASA) independently.
The ASA had been investigating Stake’s unofficial ad campaign, that saw a number of social media accounts attach the company’s logo to sometimes disturbing posts online, following a complaint from the Coalition to End Gambling Ads.
The Commission said that it would write to Everton, and two other football clubs with unlicensed sponsors, warning them of the risks of promoting illegal gambling sites.
The Commission said in a report, that club officers “may be liable to prosecution and, if convicted, face a fine, imprisonment or both if they promote unlicensed gambling businesses that transact with consumers in Great Britain”.
Premier League clubs are now contending with new gambling restrictions. In 2019, a ban was introduced, preventing gambling adverts being shown on television during games, and from mid-2026, teams will no longer be allowed to have betting sponsors as front-of-shirt sponsors.
Everton’s revenue last season was lower than expected, coming in at £183million, as the club continue to struggle financially.
Having failed to be compliant with the Premier League’s profit and sustainability rules (PSR) last season, Everton received an eight-point deduction, but managed to avoid a similar punishment this season.
Everton look to secure naming rights deal to help with finances
Football Insider Verdict
Everton have been walking a financial tight-rope for the last few seasons now, and are stretching themselves thin in an effort to keep up appearances.
A new stadium at Bramley-Moore Dock is expected to cost the club in the region of £800million, a whopping £300million more than initially projected.
In an effort to offset some of those costs, Everton are looking to secure a £150million deal for their stadium naming rights, as the Friedkin Group (TFG) look to take a page from American sports.
Everton’s lack of spending in January was likely due to continued PSR concerns, finance expert Stefan Borson told Football Insider.
However, the club have received a boost this year when it comes to performances, as the hiring of David Moyes has boosted the Toffees out of a relegation battle, for now.
Everton need to end their relationship with gambling operators
Aston Villa, Bournemouth, Brentford, Crystal Palace, Everton, Fulham, Leicester, Nottingham Forest, Southampton, West Ham and Wolves all display a gambling company on the front of their shirts.
Whilst the money is attractive, and often necessary for these clubs to maintain their status in the Premier League, ultimately it has the negative affect of normalising gambling for the sport’s audience.
The move to rid front-of-shirt sponsors in 2026 is a step in the right direction, but the fact that, going into the 2024/25 season, over half of the league’s teams are sponsored by betting companies shows there is still a long way to go to end the unhealthy relationship with gambling in the sport.