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TGP and its Controversial Ties
For more than a decade TGP Europe, based in the Isle of Man, was a gateway for millions in sponsorship funds to reach Premier League clubs. These cash injections frequently came from Asian-facing betting firms like Kaiyun, which used English clubs to gain exposure in countries like China, where gambling advertisements are prohibited.
Even though these operations were not licensed in Britain, TGP Europe status gave the appearance of being licit by association with the British gaming regulatory system.
TGP was not the only provider of the service but was particularly special due to its relationship to Macau’s SunCity group. SunCity was the mastermind behind the establishment of TGP, whose leader Alvin Chau was convicted in January 2023 for leading an organised crime group to 18 years’ imprisonment.
In 2014, TGP signed a very significant brand alliance with a second sports betting company, thus expanding its sphere of influence in football sponsorship.
Regulatory Inspection and Shutdown
TGP was fined £316,250 in February 2023 by the Great Britain Gambling Commission (GBGC) for failing to apply anti-money laundering controls. More recently, the regulator warned of a £3.3m fine, prompting TGP to return all of its licences and pull out of the UK market.
Investigators found serious regulatory gaps, including lax checks on ownership structures, the source of funds and ties to criminal activity overseas. TGP was working out of what seemed to be a completely empty office. This notwithstanding, the company had succeeded for years on the back of partnerships with the Premier League.
A number of TGP-connected brands, including BK8 and 8XBet, which are tied to clubs including Aston Villa Burnley, Manchester City and Chelsea, are linked to operations in Cambodia and Myanmar.
These sites are notorious for illicit activities such as trafficking and exploitation related to online scams and gambling. Neither of the companies could be linked to their true owner and have declined to comment on the allegations.
Premier League Clubs Therefore, it had an effect on the Premiership clubs.
While there have been no breaches of the law by any club, the GBGC had recently warned some about possible legal action. Facilitators of illegal gambling could face prosecution, fines, and possibly prison time, the regulator warned, stressing that one must consider the consequences of advocating for unlicensed gaming business.
Indeed those whose funding for the 2024–25 campaign was reliant on TGP-linked backers may now have a funding shortfall, and with funding that leads to league superiority the money shortfall is even greater.
There has been no official comment from TGP Europe about the situation and Premier League clubs will surely have to contemplate their sponsorship relationships under a very strict new regime.
