MGA Denies Licensing for Birmingham City’s New Sponsor GOD55

MGA Responds to GOD55’s Licence Claim

The MGA issued a statement stating that it has no connection to GOD55 or any of its domains. The regulator emphasized that any reference to an MGA licence held by GOD55 is false. The MGA also warned the public about unlicensed gambling operators, highlighting the risks of engaging with such entities.

These operators are not regulated, and they lack the consumer safeguards provided by licensed operators. The MGA stressed that transactions with these operators are risky and can expose consumers to significant financial harm.

Risks of Engaging with Unlicensed Operators

The MGA highlighted the dangers of dealing with unlicensed operators. Since these operators do not follow the same legal requirements as licensed ones, players may face unfair practices and lack access to consumer protections. The MGA advises players to only engage with operators that hold valid, recognised licences.

This helps reduce the risks of fraud and other negative consequences. Without proper regulation, players could also lose access to dispute resolution processes and responsible gaming measures.

GOD55’s Regional Presence and Claims

While many of GOD55’s domains are inaccessible in the UK, several websites promoting the operator remain available. These sites claim that GOD55 is the “most trusted casino” in Cambodia, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam. Despite these claims, GOD55 is not licensed or regulated in any of these regions.

The MGA’s statement serves as a reminder that players should verify the claims of trustworthiness made by operators. It is essential to check whether an operator holds a valid licence from a recognised authority.

Birmingham City’s Sponsorship Deal with GOD55

Birmingham City FC signed a sponsorship deal with GOD55 at a time when the club is performing well in League One. The club is aiming for promotion to the Championship. This deal attracted attention partly because NFL star Tom Brady recently acquired a stake in the club.

The partnership likely benefits GOD55, as the club’s rising profile helps increase its exposure. This deal is part of a broader trend, where English football clubs partner with gambling operators focused on Asia. As the UK moves to ban front-of-shirt gambling sponsorships, clubs are increasingly seeking international deals to secure revenue before the new rules take effect.

Rising Trend of Sponsorships with Unlicensed Operators

Over the past few years, more football clubs have signed sponsorship agreements with gambling operators that are not licensed by the UK Gambling Commission or other recognised regulatory bodies.

These deals have raised concerns in the media, as some of the operators lack proper licences to operate legally in the UK. Examples include DE.BET’s sponsorship of Wolverhampton Wanderers, BC.GAME’s deal with Leicester City, and Kaiyun Sports’ partnerships with Nottingham Forest and Crystal Palace.

The lack of licensing casts doubt on the legitimacy of these operators and the safety of the players they attract. As gambling sponsorships in football increase, regulators are pressuring clubs to conduct thorough due diligence before entering such partnerships.

Gambling Commission’s Warnings to Premier League Clubs

In February, the UK Gambling Commission warned several Premier League clubs about the risks of promoting unlicensed gambling websites. The Commission asked Everton, Nottingham Forest, and Leicester City to confirm that they had conducted sufficient due diligence to prevent UK consumers from engaging with these sites.

This move followed the lapse of Kaiyun’s white-label licence with TGP Europe, a company based in the Isle of Man. The Gambling Commission aims to protect UK consumers from unlicensed operators by urging clubs to take responsibility for their sponsors.