Labour pushes for ban on football kits sponsored by bookmakers

Jeremy Corbyn’s Labour Party has proposed a ban on football kits sponsored by bookmakers and gambling websites.

Nine of the English Premier League’s 20 clubs are sponsored by betting firms, with Stoke City, West Ham United and Burnley among those represented.

The party’s deputy leader Tom Watson unveiled the policy on Wednesday ahead of a government review into the gambling industry.

"Shirt sponsorship sends out a message that football clubs don't take problem gambling among their own fans seriously enough," Watson said.

"It puts gambling brands in front of fans of all ages, not just at matches but on broadcasts and highlights packages on both commercial television and the BBC."

Several of the shirt sponsors which are displayed on football jerseys across the UK are from foreign companies which do little business in the country.

Recent evidence has suggested that gambling addictions are on the rise, with 430,000 ‘problem’ gamblers being identified by the Gambling Commission last month.

“Just as tobacco companies were banned from sponsoring sporting events and putting their logos on branded goods because of the harm smoking can cause,” Watson added.

“It’s right that we recognise the harm problem gambling does and take gambling logos off football shirts.”