• 15 Oct, 2024

Richard Keys has voiced his disapproval of Aston Villa's reported sponsorship deal with the Greek betting company Betano.

According to The Telegraph, Villa has secured a £40 million deal for the next two seasons, making it the most lucrative front-of-shirt sponsorship in the club’s history. However, the Betano deal is slated to last only until 2026, coinciding with the ban on gambling companies on shirt fronts starting from the 2026-2027 season.

Keys expressed his concerns, stating, “Shirt sponsorship is an area where Villa have struggled in recent years. The association with BK8 caused controversy, as it did with Norwich. Now, they’ve partnered with Betano. While Villa isn’t alone in aligning with a gambling company, it raises questions about their commitment to addressing the harmful effects of gambling. The voluntary ban on gambling sponsors for 2026/27 seems more like a way to sidestep legislation than a genuine effort to protect individuals from gambling harm. It’s clear that money speaks, to the tune of £40 million a year in Villa’s case.”

In December, UEFA named Betano as a global sponsor for the upcoming European Championships, and the betting firm will also sponsor the next two editions of the Copa America. Betano's logo currently adorns the shirts of Portuguese clubs FC Porto and Sporting CP, as well as Brazilian clubs Atletico Miniero and Fluminense.