Chelsea reportedly back out of crypto casino sponsorship deal
A supporters’ group has welcomed Chelsea FC reportedly pulling out of talks with a crypto casino and sportsbook site, which had been set to become the club’s new shirt sponsor.
Stake.com was said to have been lined up by the Premier League side following the conclusion of the club’s previous deal with Three, a mobile phone company. However, following outcry from Chelsea supporters, the proposed partnership with Stake.com seems to have hit the buffers.
While Stake.com is already the sponsor of Everton – in the same division as Chelsea – since that deal was confirmed the Premier League has announced an impending ban on all new gambling sponsors. But with that move not set to come into effect for a couple of years – the rule change will not be enforced until the end of the 2025-26 season – clubs have been making the most of the regulations as they stand by signing fresh terms with gambling firms from around the world.
The Chelsea Supporters’ Trust had published snap survey results showing that the majority of its members were against Stake.com becoming the new shirt sponsor. After news broke that the deal was now off, a spokesperson for the Chelsea Supporters’ Trust welcomed the development though the club has yet to make any official comment over the state of talks with Stake.com.
“The CST is really pleased that, according to recent reports, Chelsea FC has listened to the very serious concerns of the trust and has acted accordingly,” the group’s spokesperson said.
“Over 77 per cent of our members disagree with the use of an online casino and betting company as the primary shirt sponsor, and if these reports are indeed correct, it demonstrates again that supporters can make a monumental difference.”
Stake.com has signed deals with a range of sporting stars and top clubs, with Watford among the teams it has sponsored in the past. The crypto casino and sports betting site has got Drake as one of its top brand ambassadors, with the Canadian regularly streaming himself betting.
The company’s global site states: “Stake.com is a worldwide leader in crypto gambling with one of the best casino and sports betting platforms for bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies.”
Chelsea had previously been set to join forces with the streaming service Paramount Plus, but found that the proposed deal was blocked as a result of Premier League TV regulations.
