Online sportsbook Betway has continued its sponsorship deal with Segunda side CD Leganés, despite possible gambling restrictions soon coming to Spain.
The partnership was originally signed in 2018 and now reportedly has an exit clause, should the Royal Decree on Advertising come into force.
Betway will continue to be the front-of-shirt sponsor of Leganés, who suffered relegation from La Liga last season.
The club has also announced a few of its on-sleeve sponsors that will sponsor the club in the second tier.
A potentially-important source of income
When Leganés played in La Liga, its shirt sponsorship with Betway was believed to be worth around €1 million per season. However, this is expected to be different since the side is playing in the division below.
17 of La Liga’s clubs last season, which included Leganés at the time, had some kind of sponsorship deal with a gambling operator.
Eight of these featured sponsors on the front of their shirts, including Valencia and Sevilla. In May, it was reported that Betway had been looking to take over from Marathonbet as Sevilla’s main shirt sponsor.
For how long will gambling sponsorships be permitted in Spain?
The Spanish government has been working on restricting marketing and advertising activities related to gambling for the entirety of this year. Recently, the Royal Decree of Advertising was submitted to the European Commission for approval.
In its current draft, the legislation states that “sponsorship in sports T-shirts or equipment will not be admissible”. Gambling operators are already banned from being printed on youth-sized shirts.
The European Betting and Gaming Association (EBGA) has already expressed its criticism of new proposed regulations. Rather than serving to protect players, the organisation instead thinks that such heavy restrictions will be counterproductive.
The government wants new laws to come into force from the start of the 2020/2021 La Liga season. This was to give sponsors the chance to see out the 2019/2020 campaign and fulfill their partnership obligations.
Leganés affirms other sponsorships alongside Betway
Leganés has also announced a couple of other deals as it prepares for its first season outside of the top flight since 2016. On the left sleeve will be global fast food giant KFC, while Ynsadiet Laboratories will feature on the back.
Meanwhile, Dione Ice Cream will be on the left short leg.
