Aston Villa Partners with BK8 Despite Impending Gambling Sponsorship Ban in Premier League

Aston Villa Football Club has teamed up with BK8 in a sponsorship agreement that will feature the Asian gaming company prominently on the front of the team’s kits. This long-term collaboration, extending over three seasons until the conclusion of the 2025/26 season, highlights a mutual dedication to social responsibility, with both entities promising to advocate for charitable endeavors.

BK8 has been actively engaged with mental health organizations over the last few years, aiming to increase understanding and backing for this vital concern. Mirroring the company’s commitment to giving back, Michael Gatt, BK8’s Managing Director for Europe, the Middle East, and Africa, conveyed his excitement, remarking, “We are immensely pleased to declare our assistance for local charities as a component of this thrilling new association with Aston Villa.” He further stressed, “The capacity to contribute to supporters was a significant element in our choice to partner with a club possessing such a storied past and legacy as Aston Villa.”

This alliance reflects BK8’s continuing dedication to community involvement through football, an area they’ve been actively participating in for the past several years. As Gatt confirmed, “As a company that has been deeply immersed in football in recent times, we are devoted to collaborating closely with our partners to back local community projects and will persist in doing so throughout this partnership.”

An Aston Villa representative shared the feeling of a productive partnership, stating, “We anticipate working in tandem with BK8 in developing engaging activities that will aid both groups in expanding their brands, particularly within Southeast Asia.”

Birmingham’s Aston Villa Football Club has entered into a sponsorship agreement with gambling firm BK8, even though a prohibition on such collaborations is looming in the Premier League. The impending ban, scheduled to commence with the 2026/27 season, received a majority vote from Premier League clubs, preceding the UK government’s white paper addressing gambling reforms.

This particular agreement underscores the fiscal challenges encountered by clubs outside the “Big Six,” as they heavily depend on income generated from gambling sponsorships. Aston Villa’s Chief Executive, Christian Purslow, has publicly criticized the ban, contending that these agreements often yield double the financial returns compared to those from non-gambling entities. He posits that this disparity places clubs like Aston Villa at a considerable disadvantage.