A lucrative sponsorship deal between the Asian bookmaker, 777ball.com
and Cardiff City football club was in danger of collapse after gambling
regulators ruled that the team could not play its Championship match wearing the
company's logo.
The UK Gambling Commission said that since 777ball.com does not appear on its
'white list' of gambling groups permitted to market their services in the UK
market, Cardiff may not advertise its logo on their shirts.
The deal, worth over GBP 250,000 for the Welsh team, had already been inked
and Cardiff has already managed to play one game wearing the group's shirt.
However, the Gambling Commission said that unless 777ball.com manages to
obtain a gambling license in one of the jurisdictions that make the 'white
list', the future of the deal does not look very promising.
777ball.com will need to prove that its standards meet those set by the UK
Gambling Commission in terms of fair play, transparency and other factors.
"Following advice from the Gambling Commission, Cardiff City have removed the
sponsor's logo from their shirt's for tonight's Coca Cola Championship match at
Reading," said a spokesperson for the Club. "The Gambling Commission have
informed us that the sponsor, 777 ball should obtain a license enabling them to
advertise their services within the European Economic Area."
"At the moment, 777ball hold a license issued in the Philippines, where they
are based," explained the club. "Cardiff City went ahead with the sponsorship in
good faith after discussions with the Football League."
According to the club, the Commission will meet with 777ball representatives
this week to try and reach a solution to the problem.
