‘Newcastle United in safe waters’ after ‘headline-seeking’ move
Newcastle United are among the clubs to be threatened with a big fine or imprisonment for officials over their relationship with an unlicensed gambling business.
As per the BBC (16 May), Bournemouth, Fulham, Newcastle, Burnley and Wolves have all been contacted via letter over their controversial sponsorships from betting websites run by TGP Europe – who no longer have a UK license.
The Gambling Commission says it is seeking assurances “that consumers in Great Britain cannot transact with the unlicensed sites”.
FUN88 was the front-of-shirt sponsor at Newcastle between 2018 and 2023 – and are now the Magpies’ official Asian betting partner.
Everton’s former chief Keith Wyness – who served as CEO at Goodison Park between 2004 and 2009 and now runs a football consultancy advising elite clubs – insisted the letter is a “storm in a teacup” and may stem from the Gambling Commission seeking “headlines”.
Newcastle gambling sponsor warning is ‘storm in a teacup’, says Wyness
Speaking on the new edition of Football Insider’s Inside Track podcast, Wyness admitted clubs may not have done proper due diligence when accepting gambling sponsorships.
Everton, Nottingham Forest and Leicester received a similar warning in February but still wear gambling sponsors on their matchday shirts.
Premier League clubs have agreed to end gambling sponsorships on the front of shirts by the end of next season.
Wyness told Football Insider‘s Inside Track podcast: “We know Everton have already had a shot across the knuckles.
“There are issues with the gambling sponsor situation. All these companies are domiciled in the same sort of regions, they have very strange ownership situations.
“The due diligence has not been done properly by clubs because they are happy to take the deals, and the money is there.
“The issue is whether these companies comply with the UK regulator.
“It means these clubs can’t promote these companies to UK fans, who would use the UK website.
“A lot of these companies only have international sites and are advertising to the international fans through the exposure of the Premier League.
“I think that’s a case which will stand up. This may be just the gambling regulator wanting headlines, and using football as a way to get them.
“I don’t think anything will come of this. It’s a bit of a storm in a teacup.”
Newcastle plot three key additions
Meanwhile, Football Insider has revealed (12 May) that Newcastle are planning to back Eddie Howe by strengthening his squad in a busy transfer window.
| Position | Team | Played | Points | GD |
| 2 | Arsenal | 37 | 71 | 34 |
| 3 | Man City | 37 | 68 | 26 |
| 4 | Newcastle | 37 | 66 | 22 |
| 5 | Chelsea | 37 | 66 | 20 |
| 6 | Aston Villa | 37 | 66 | 9 |
Among their priority targets are the additions of a new centre-back, right-winger and goalkeeper amid concerns about their current options.
Football Insider revealed in February that Newcastle want to sign a right-winger as their top priority despite the performances of Jacob Murphy.
For more Newcastle United and exclusive news, follow us on Facebook or join our brand new WhatsApp Channel for instant updates to be sent straight to your phone.