Sport

Richard Fitzpatrick: Premier League clubs hold their noses as online betting firms ride their luck

Mysterious Asian gambling companies are hiding in plain sight as they take advantage of lax UK regulation

Aston Villa’s jerseys next season will be sponsored by online gambling company BK8, which has been criticised for using hardcore pornographic influencers. Picture: Getty

No one in football on the continent had heard of Yabo Sports when the Asian betting company registered itself to operate in Europe in 2018. But it didn’t take long for a stampede to ensue. The biggest clubs in the game, including Bayern Munich, Manchester United and Paris Saint-Germain, rushed to be by their side. “We share the same values, perseverance and courage,” gushed Aidan Flynn, Manchester United’s head of partnerships, at the prospect of ...