The £126m problem that awaits Premier League clubs with gambling ban on the horizon

Premier League clubs voluntarily agreed to restrict betting sponsorships from 2026/27

Aston Villa are one of 11 clubs to have gambling partners as front-of-shirt sponsors in the Premier League (GETTY IMAGES)

Another quiet week when it comes to what happens off the pitch then?

Manchester City’s independent commission hearing entered week three, Juventus forecast yet another year in the red with a fourth successive year posting a nine-figure loss as a deficit of €199m for the most recent financial year took them to a combined loss of €894m over the last seven years. Oh, and there was a legal case at the European Court of Justice involving Lassana Diarra that threatened to change the transfer market and free movement of players as we know it.

All quiet, see.

This week’s focus for the Bottom Line is on an issue that is coming down the tracks for the Premier League, one that has huge financial implications for many clubs, but one where clubs are holding on to the bitter end to make sure they make as much as they can while they can.

More on that in a second, but a quick note to thank everyone who has subscribed to the Bottom Line and supported my work, it is greatly appreciated. It was a niche topic not too long ago, but now it is making its way into the mainstream more and more with each passing week.

But back on to this week’s topic, which is what on Earth will the clubs do when the gambling companies go away?