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AFC Bournemouth has come under scrutiny following a sponsorship deal with BJ88, a gambling brand lacking transparency and operating within the grey market. Simon Zinger, group general counsel and chief customer care officer at Entain plc, has addressed these concerns in a letter to the club’s management, emphasizing the potential risks associated with such partnerships.
Simon Zinger said: “The club deserves better than to be sold out to nefarious sponsors. The sponsorship with BJ88 is particularly concerning given the brand’s lack of transparent corporate history and its focus on the grey market. By accepting sponsorship from a firm that operates in the shadows of international law, Bournemouth is actively legitimising the infrastructure used by the global black market.”
Zinger’s letter further elaborates on the implications of this sponsorship, citing statistics from the Betting and Gaming Council. It is estimated that UK consumers stake £2.7 billion annually with unregulated, illegal operators, a figure that has been on the rise. These operators are described as “predatory,” targeting vulnerable groups such as problem gamblers and children.
Simon Zinger added: “With the Premier League failing to show sufficient leadership, I am appealing to you directly. On the evidence set out above, a front-of-shirt partnership with an unlicensed gambling operator cannot be squared with either. AFC Bournemouth is a proud club that deserves better than to be sold out to nefarious sponsors.”
The timing of this sponsorship deal is critical as clubs are currently negotiating next season’s sponsors. Zinger warns that this could delay the process by another year and potentially undermine the Government’s intended ban on such practices. The letter serves as a direct appeal to AFC Bournemouth to reconsider their association with BJ88 and to align with more reputable sponsors that reflect the club’s values and integrity.
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