June 2 – Premier League Bournemouth have ended their shirt sponsorship with Asian online bookmaker M88 following the launch of a Gambling Commission investigation into the betting site and associated brands operated by parent company Mansion Europe.
M88 had been the club’s main shirt sponsor since the start of the 2017/18 season, with that deal expiring at the end of May. The club also has a separate sleeve sponsorship deal with Mansion Bet which it said will continue.
Bournemouth will currently play the remainder of the restarted season without a short sponsor.
A Gambling Commission spokesperson said that the operating licences for M88 and its associated brands had not been revoked, but that it was investigating “various aspects” of each business’ “model and operations”.
Bournemouth first signed a two-year deal with M88 for the start of the 2017/18 season and renewed for a further season in May 2019 for as reported £5 million, a record sponsorship for the club.
A club statement said: “AFC Bournemouth can confirm that its partnership with M88 will end on Sunday [31st May].
“The club will therefore complete the 2019/20 campaign in new training wear and playing kits.”
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