Everton could face huge financial blow as Premier League clubs set to vote on Thursday

All the Premier League sides are set to meet on Thursday and conduct a vote on voluntary ban on front of shirt gambling sponsors. Everton signed a record deal with Stake.com ahead of the 2022-23 season.

The multi year agreement with Stake, who are a leading casino and sports betting platform, meant that Everton will earn £10 million a year in form of shirt sponsorship which is the highest amount Everton have received in their 144 year history.

The logo of Stake.com has been appearing on men’s and women’s playing shirts as well as on the screens and media backdrops at Finch Farm and Goodison Park. However, Stake.com’s appearance on Everton shirt may not last long as the Premier League clubs are set on voting for a voluntary ban of gambling sponsors as main shirt sponsors.

Everton and Stake.com signed a two year sponsorship deal

According to Daily Mail, the vote will take place on Thursday and the ban will come into effect since the 2026-27 season, giving clubs enough time to negotiate deals with new non-gambling sponsors. Currently, sponsorships coming from gambling organizations total to around £52 million in the Premier League out of which Everton and West Ham United have the most lucrative deals, getting £10 million a year.

Eight out of 20 Premier League sides have gambling organizations as main sponsors – Everton, West Ham United, Southampton, Fulham, AFC Bournemouth, Brentford, Newcastle United and Leeds United. The proposal will be passed by Premier League shareholders and a compromise will be reached that the gambling organizations can remain sleeve sponsors but not front of shirt sponsors.

Everton’s current deal with Stake.com runs till 2025 so there won’t be any contractual issues but it is an indication that beyond 2025, EFC will not have the chance to renegotiate a deal with Stake or extend their sponsorship agreement.

The UK government is working to curb gambling sponsorships in football and banning front of the shirt sponsorships is an important step towards the ultimate goal. It will still be seen as a financial blow to EFC if they cannot secure a better sponsorship deal than Stake’s £10 million a year.