Betting

Corinthians, Palmeiras, São Paulo and Santos have joined forces with the São Paulo Football Federation (FPF) and other Brazilian football bodies to push back against possible restrictions on betting, warning that major changes could have a serious financial impact on the sport.

The reaction comes as the Brazilian government prepares a possible executive order to ban online casino operations, while further restrictions on sports betting are still being discussed. Clubs are concerned that tighter rules could put existing sponsorship deals and an important source of football revenue at risk.

And the numbers show why. 13 of the 20 Série A clubs currently have a betting company as their main shirt sponsor, with the combined value of these deals estimated at more than R$1 billion per season. Flamengo (Betano), Fluminense (Superbet), Botafogo (Vbet), Palmeiras (Sportingbet), Corinthians (Esportes da Sorte), São Paulo (Superbet)...

The debate comes as major European leagues have moved in the opposite direction. Italy introduced a broad ban on gambling advertising and sponsorship in 2018, while Spain introduced strict restrictions covering betting advertising and shirt sponsorships from the 2021-22 season. In England, Premier League clubs agreed to remove gambling sponsors from the front of matchday shirts from the 2026-27 season, although other forms of gambling partnerships remain possible.

What do you think of Brazilian clubs pushing back against possible betting restrictions? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.

Aston Villa have officially confirmed online sportsbook operator 8Xbet as the club's Official Betting Partner in Asia. The regional partnership aims to bolster the Premier League side's commercial reach across the Far East through localized digital campaigns, fan engagement activations, and branded assets.

The agreement follows Aston Villa's recent pre-season tour across Asia and replaces their previous regional collaboration with NOVA88. 8Xbet is already well known within English football, having previously secured regional Asian betting partnerships with clubs such as Manchester City and Chelsea.

As Premier League regulations place tighter restrictions on front-of-shirt gambling sponsorships in the domestic UK market, clubs increasingly look toward geo-targeted overseas partnerships to maintain commercial revenue in Asian territories.

Inter Milan took to the pitch at the Santiago Bernabéu for their UEFA Champions League clash against Real Madrid wearing a completely clean, sponsorless version of their 26-27 home shirt. The usual Betsson.sport logo was entirely missing from the chest, providing fans with a rare and striking old-school look for the Nerazzurri's iconic black and blue stripes.

The temporary alteration was made to comply with Spain's strict advertising laws. Under Royal Decree 958/2020, Spain prohibits gambling and betting operators from featuring on sports jerseys or engaging in promotional partnerships with sports teams. While Betsson operates in Italy under the Betsson.sport label as an infotainment platform to navigate the Italian Dignity Decree, Spanish regulatory authorities enforce a much broader interpretation that disallows the brand entirely. Under UEFA equipment regulations, visiting clubs are required to follow host country laws.

Because of the regulation, Inter prepared a sponsor-free run of shirts specifically for their trip to Madrid, leaving only the Nike Swoosh, club crest, and competition sleeve patches in place. The Betsson.sport branding will return to Inter's kits for their upcoming domestic and European matches where local laws permit it.

Corinthians, Palmeiras, São Paulo and Santos have joined forces with the São Paulo Football Federation (FPF) and other Brazilian football bodies to push back against possible restrictions on betting, warning that major changes could have a serious financial impact on the sport.

The reaction comes as the Brazilian government prepares a possible executive order to ban online casino operations, while further restrictions on sports betting are still being discussed. Clubs are concerned that tighter rules could put existing sponsorship deals and an important source of football revenue at risk.

And the numbers show why. 13 of the 20 Série A clubs currently have a betting company as their main shirt sponsor, with the combined value of these deals estimated at more than R$1 billion per season. Flamengo (Betano), Fluminense (Superbet), Botafogo (Vbet), Palmeiras (Sportingbet), Corinthians (Esportes da Sorte), São Paulo (Superbet)...

The debate comes as major European leagues have moved in the opposite direction. Italy introduced a broad ban on gambling advertising and sponsorship in 2018, while Spain introduced strict restrictions covering betting advertising and shirt sponsorships from the 2021-22 season. In England, Premier League clubs agreed to remove gambling sponsors from the front of matchday shirts from the 2026-27 season, although other forms of gambling partnerships remain possible.

What do you think of Brazilian clubs pushing back against possible betting restrictions? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.

Inter Milan took to the pitch at the Santiago Bernabéu for their UEFA Champions League clash against Real Madrid wearing a completely clean, sponsorless version of their 26-27 home shirt. The usual Betsson.sport logo was entirely missing from the chest, providing fans with a rare and striking old-school look for the Nerazzurri's iconic black and blue stripes.

The temporary alteration was made to comply with Spain's strict advertising laws. Under Royal Decree 958/2020, Spain prohibits gambling and betting operators from featuring on sports jerseys or engaging in promotional partnerships with sports teams. While Betsson operates in Italy under the Betsson.sport label as an infotainment platform to navigate the Italian Dignity Decree, Spanish regulatory authorities enforce a much broader interpretation that disallows the brand entirely. Under UEFA equipment regulations, visiting clubs are required to follow host country laws.

Because of the regulation, Inter prepared a sponsor-free run of shirts specifically for their trip to Madrid, leaving only the Nike Swoosh, club crest, and competition sleeve patches in place. The Betsson.sport branding will return to Inter's kits for their upcoming domestic and European matches where local laws permit it.

Aston Villa have officially confirmed online sportsbook operator 8Xbet as the club's Official Betting Partner in Asia. The regional partnership aims to bolster the Premier League side's commercial reach across the Far East through localized digital campaigns, fan engagement activations, and branded assets.

The agreement follows Aston Villa's recent pre-season tour across Asia and replaces their previous regional collaboration with NOVA88. 8Xbet is already well known within English football, having previously secured regional Asian betting partnerships with clubs such as Manchester City and Chelsea.

As Premier League regulations place tighter restrictions on front-of-shirt gambling sponsorships in the domestic UK market, clubs increasingly look toward geo-targeted overseas partnerships to maintain commercial revenue in Asian territories.