Everton’s relationship with gambling sponsor Stake has taken a further blow after the latest in a string of damaging news about the brand.
The club’s front of shirt sponsor has been sued in the USA after rapper Drake and streamer Adin Ross were accused of promoting “deceptive, fraudulent and unfair” gambling practices by promoting Stake online casino in the state of Missouri.
Drake is also accused of misleading viewers by betting with tokens supplied to him by Stake.
Plaintiff Justin Killham stated: “When Ross and Drake purport to gamble online with Stake.com, they often do not do so with their own money despite telling the public in Missouri and elsewhere the opposite.”
It is the latest in a long line of controversy around the betting sponsor, which also owns the Kick brand.
In February Stake was ordered to leave the UK market by the gambling commission after a video displaying the Stake-branded logo and adult actress Bonny Blue appeared outside Nottingham Trent University.
The company has been under enforcement action previously and all UK-facing websites were told to shut by March. It included promoting the platform to UK users, meaning Everton were forced to remove Stake advertising from the UK website and physical promotions within the stadium.
The Gambling Commission wrote to Everton to warn the club of advertising unlicensed sponsors, sparking hope the club would drop Stake as a front of shirt sponsor a year early. Unfortunately Stake is still the home shirt sponsor as Everton begin the 2025/26 season at Hill Dickinson Stadium.
Everton are entering their final season with Stake as a front of shirt sponsor thanks to new Premier League rules banning betting firms. However, the club would still be allowed to feature Stake on their sleeves or as a minor sponsor online.
Everton’s front of shirt sponsor could fetch as much as £20m per year in a new deal after rumours the Friedkin Group are seeking a similar value for Roma’s main shirt sponsor. The group could also dip into its suite of companies to feature on the front of shirt.