BC.GAME has been named the front-of-shirt sponsor of newly promoted Premier League side Leicester City.
The East Midlands club, which famously stunned the football world by winning the top flight in 2015/16, adds to English football’s growing number of new gambling deals ahead of the 2024/25 season
Described by the club as the most valuable in its history, it has not been stated whether the deal also covers the 2025/26 season.
Commenting on BC.GAME’s partnership, the crypto casino’s Director of Marketing and Affiliates, Rayne Davis, said: “We are excited to join forces with Leicester City, a club with a rich history, a passionate fanbase and authentic global appeal.
“This partnership represents a unique opportunity to introduce a new brand of exciting, safe and responsible online gaming to new audiences, and we look forward to a successful collaboration.”
The agreement follows a trend observed in the English top-flight lately which has seen several teams sign bookmaker partnerships over the past month. Wolves signed separate deals with BetMGM and DE.BET, while Crystal Palace partnered with Net88.
Clubs and bookmakers have two key motivations to sign sponsorship deals over the next two years. Firstly is the incoming voluntary ban on front-of-shirt sponsorship deals from the 2026/27 season onwards.
Last year, 18 of the Premier League’s 20 clubs voted to withdraw front-of-shirt deals from this date, having been facing mounting public and political pressure over the visibility of such deals.
Although in-stadium advertising and sleeve sponsorships will remain, bookmakers will lose out on the significant visibility of front-of-shirt deals. This has incentivised many to clinch these partnerships for the 2024/25 and 2025/26 seasons whilst the opportunity remains.
The second important element to consider is club finances. It is interesting to note that many of these betting deals are described as being among the most valuable commercial agreements in these clubs’ histories.
This showcases the key role betting partnerships can play in a club’s revenue, in addition to demonstrating the concerns many clubs’ financial and commercial teams may have around profit and sustainability (PSR) rules.
Leicester City Chief Executive, Susan Whelan, added: “We welcome BC.GAME to Leicester City – an opportunity to work with an innovative partner in a new category for the Club.
“As a leading global operator in a rapidly evolving environment, BC.GAME already have a history of successful relationships in sport and we look forward to the development of a mutually beneficial partnership.
“The ability to attract high-value partners upon our return to the Premier League is vital to our determination to re-establish Leicester City among the game’s elite, to continue to invest in a competitive squad and to ensure the best possible experience for our supporters.”
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