Stake to Leave UK Following Gambling Commission Probe
The UK operations of online gambling platform Stake will shut down next month as a result of an ongoing investigation by the Gambling Commission. The regulator launched its inquiry after a widely circulated social media video prominently featured Stake’s branding. The video, filmed outside Nottingham Trent University, showed adult actress Bonnie Blue making explicit remarks. Although the clip was not officially posted by Stake, its widespread distribution raised concerns over gambling advertising practices.
TGP Europe Limited, which operates Stake’s UK-facing site under a white-label agreement, confirmed it will stop accepting new registrations immediately and will fully close the platform by March 11. Additionally, the company has pledged to remove all links redirecting users to Stake’s main website. This marks the second time TGP has faced regulatory scrutiny, following a fine issued by the Gambling Commission in April 2023 for breaches related to anti-money laundering and social responsibility policies.
Regulatory Response and Stake’s Strategic Shift
The Gambling Commission has stated that operators exiting the UK market must do so in an orderly manner, ensuring customers have clear instructions on retrieving their funds. Stake, in a separate statement, emphasized that the decision to withdraw from the UK was made jointly with TGP Europe as part of a broader strategy to prioritize locally regulated markets. The company aims to expand its operations in jurisdictions where it has secured direct licenses, including Italy and Brazil.
This move follows Stake's recent approval to operate in Brazil’s newly regulated gambling sector. The company has also been actively growing its presence in Latin America, particularly in Colombia and Peru, as well as entering the Italian and Danish markets through acquisitions.
Scrutiny Over Football Sponsorships
Stake’s withdrawal from the UK raises questions about its ongoing sponsorship agreement with English Premier League club Everton. The Gambling Commission intends to contact Everton, along with Nottingham Forest and Leicester City, regarding their partnerships with gambling firms operating without direct UK licenses. The regulator is seeking assurances that these clubs have conducted sufficient due diligence and that their sponsors are effectively geo-blocking UK users.
Football clubs could face legal consequences if they are found to be promoting unlicensed gambling sites accessible to UK consumers. The Commission has warned that club officers could face criminal charges, including fines and potential imprisonment, should they fail to prevent such promotions.
Everton has not announced plans to replace Stake as its primary shirt sponsor, despite the broader regulatory push against gambling-related advertising in football. From the 2025-26 season, Premier League clubs have agreed to phase out gambling firms as main shirt sponsors, though secondary advertising placements, such as sleeve sponsorships and digital signage, will still be permitted.
Source:Stake to Exit UK Market Amid Gambling Commission Investigation, lcb.org, February 13, 2025.