The head of NHS England is targeting shirt sponsorship deals with gambling companies
Football clubs have been targeted by the boss of the NHS England for shirt sponsorship deals with gambling companies.
Amanda Pritchard highlighted clubs that have signed lucrative deals this week amid mounting betting troubles.
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A Premier League ban on shirt betting sponsors was announced in April but will not come into effect until the start of the 2026-27 season.
Ms Pritchard said on the BBC’s Sunday With Laura Kuenssberg that seeing the logos every day tells young fans that gambling is “okay”.
She added that gambling and football bosses “should really think seriously about their responsibilities”.
Aston Villa, Burnley and Fulham have all signed deals in the past week.
Everton have inked a two-year deal with casino and sports betting platform Stake.com.
The NHS is now opening seven new specialist clinics.
Last year, a record 1,389 patients were referred for gambling problems.
The Betting and Gaming Council said: “The largest members of the BGC have pledged an additional £100m in research, education and treatment funding between 2019 and 2023, to be managed by independent charity GambleAware.”