Leicester City Wonderkid Wears Sponsor-Free Kit in Premier League
- Player Compliance: Leicester City player Jeremy Monga wore a shirt without the BC.Game sponsor to comply with UK gambling laws due to being under 18.
- UK Gambling Act: The UK Gambling Act of 2005 prohibits individuals under 18 from promoting betting.
- Precedent: Aston Villa players have similarly worn kits without betting sponsors, due to the same regulations.
In yesterday's match between Leicester City and Newcastle, young player Jeremy Monga (15 years old) took to the pitch wearing a shirt without a BC.Game sponsor. This is not a mistake and there is a reason behind it.
England's Gambling Law Forbids Under 18 to Promote Betting
Betting company BC.Game is currently Leicester City's front-of-shirt sponsor. The reason why Jeremy Monga's shirt does not feature the BC.Game logo is due to compliance with the 2005 UK Gambling Act. The UK Gambling Act states that the legal age for gambling is 18 years and over. It is illegal to allow anyone under the age of 18 to gamble.
Jeremy Monga (15 years, 271 days) is under the age of 18, so of course, he has to obey this law. It helps to protect minors from gambling.
Earlier this season, several Aston Villa players also wore shirts without the betting sponsor Betano due to anti-betting rules in Belgium.
Do you think removing betting sponsorship from under-18 shirts will help raise awareness of underage gambling? Comment below.
