The new sponsorship deal between Crystal Palace FC and NET88 has come under scrutiny.
The Vietnamese gambling firm was relatively unknown until becoming a principal partner of the Premier League club last week in what was described as a “record” two-year deal.
The Asian betting company has only just launched a website in the UK and created an official account on X, formerly known as Twitter, last week.
The English top-flight side said in a statement regarding the deal: “Net88 is a global online gaming platform for sports and gaming fans alike, and we’re looking forward to working with them at this exciting time.”
Notably, the collaboration also sees the betting brand become the front-of-shirt sponsor of Palace’s training kits
Meanwhile, a NET88 spokesperson briefly added at the time of the announcement: “Everyone at Net88 is excited to work with Crystal Palace after a fantastic end to last season.
“We are delighted to join a club that is moving forward. We are proud to be the club’s front-of-shirt sponsor and aim to build a successful relationship with the team and fans.”
Crystal Palace’s deal shortly followed Wolves announcing a similar “record deal” for Debet to become its official shirt sponsor – another unfamiliar Vietnamese gambling firm to the UK audience.
Premier League clubs have collectively agreed to end shirt gambling sponsorship at the end of the 2025-26 season, but clubs are allowed to secure new deals until that deadline, with gambling firms able to agree sleeve sponsorship deals once the ban comes into effect.