Crystal Palace and Wolves have signed front-of-shirt sponsorship deals with Net88 and DEBET, respectively. [Image: Shutterstock.com]

Two new deals

Despite a ban coming into place from the start of the 2025-2026 season on gambling companies appearing as front-of-shirt sponsors for English Premier League (EPL) teams, some clubs are still embracing these arrangements.

Crystal Palace and Wolverhampton Wanderers both revealed new relationships for the upcoming season. Asia-focused operator Net88 will appear on the jerseys of Crystal Palace in 2024-2025 and Wolves is now working with another Asian brand, DEBET, for the next couple of seasons.

goal of the ban is to decrease the proliferation of pro-gambling imagery during games

The goal of the ban is to decrease the proliferation of pro-gambling imagery during games as vulnerable people like children and addicts watch the action.

Big deal for the Londoners

The agreement with Net88 is a record-breaking one for Crystal Palace, according to the official statement. It will see the operator become the main partner of the club and its logo appear on gameday and practice gear, as well as on the club website and across Selhurst Park.

EPL clubs agreed in April 2023 to no longer display the logos of gambling companies on the front of their jerseys starting with the 2025-2026 season. The brands can still appear on the sleeves of jerseys.

Crystal Palace Chief Commercial Officer Barry Webber believes the deal can help the club “build upon the excellent form of the men’s team at the end of last season.”

Another lucrative opportunity

The arrangement between Wolves and DEBET is also a record deal for the West Midlands club, with the branding to appear on the training gear and gameday jerseys for the next two seasons.

Another major EPL club that recently signed a similar deal was Aston Villa, partnering with Betano on a two-year relationship worth £40m ($51m).

Wolverhampton Wanderers General Manager for Marketing and Commercial Growth Russell Jones said the club is impressed so far by the personnel working at DEBET and hopes to help expand the reach of both brands going forward.