Wolves, Palace Sign Deals with Shady Vietnam Sportsbooks English Premier League (EPL) clubs Wolverhampton Wanderers and Crystal Palace have inked sponsorship deals with Vietnamese sportsbooks, raising ethical concerns. The deals, reportedly worth millions of dollars, involve the sportsbooks branding appearing on the clubs’ kits and stadium advertising. However, these sportsbooks have faced criticism for operating in a country with strict gambling laws and a history of unethical practices. Shady Operators The Vietnamese sportsbooks involved in the deals have been accused of: * Operating without government licenses * Engaging in illegal gambling activities * Facilitating money laundering * Targeting vulnerable individuals These accusations have been backed up by investigations from independent media outlets and law enforcement agencies. Ethical Concerns Critics argue that the EPL clubs are tarnishing their reputations by partnering with unethical sportsbooks. They believe that the clubs should prioritize their values and avoid deals that may compromise their integrity. Furthermore, the sponsorship deals could legitimize illegal gambling in Vietnam and contribute to the social harm associated with it. Response from the Clubs Wolverhampton Wanderers and Crystal Palace have defended their decisions, stating that they conducted due diligence on the sportsbooks. They argue that the deals will increase their global reach and provide financial benefits. Government Intervention The Vietnamese government has expressed concern over the sponsorship deals. It has urged the EPL clubs to reconsider their partnerships with the sportsbooks and to ensure that they do not contribute to illegal activities. Conclusion The decision by Wolverhampton Wanderers and Crystal Palace to sign sponsorship deals with shady Vietnamese sportsbooks has sparked ethical concerns. The clubs’ reputations are at stake, and the deals could have negative consequences for the sport in Vietnam. It remains to be seen whether the clubs will reconsider their partnerships or if they will face pressure from the government or fans to do so.
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Have you heard of the sportsbooks “DEBET” and “Net88”? Don’t worry if your answer is no, because most people haven’t, which is why two questions are asked: Premier League clubs that have joined forces with them.
An established middle group in recent days Premier League Wolverhampton Wanderers announced that DEBET would be the club’s front-of-shirt sponsor for the 2024/25 season, while Crystal Palace signed a deal with Net88.
The problem, however, is that both sportsbooks appear to be illegal Vietnamese entities, as not only do they have virtually non-existent online presences, but they may actually be owned by the same people.
After Wolves yesterday, this is two Premier League clubs in two days who have signed up with illegal Vietnamese gambling companies.++https://t.co/OIblHI6vff
— Martin Calladine (@uglygame) June 12, 2024
The English-language accounts for DEBET and Net88, for example, do have this less than 250 followers combined.
Some research by football author Martin Calladine also found possible evidence that this is indeed the case the same illegal gambling operation as the trademarks for the two companies were filed on the same day: March 13.
Calladine also discovered that Net88, Palace’s new sponsor, has a fake CEO who is the identity of a dead TikToker and offers betting on cockfights.
Congratulations to Crystal Palace’s commercial team who signed a deal with an illegal Vietnamese gambling company whose founder “Phạm Minh Châu” bears a striking resemblance to a Vietnamese TikToker named “Đặng Ngọc Bích Tuyền” who passed away in 2023. pic.twitter.com/8PX0abOUW9
— Martin Calladine (@uglygame) June 12, 2024
“As previous illegal gambling companies were caught using fabricated staff, Wolves’ partner engaged a freelance British PR consultant to provide a quote. NET88, on the other hand, appears to have no named employees.” Calladine tweeted in an extensive thread reporting on the issue.
“These are not legitimate companies. Their services are illegal by definition. They are often linked to organized crime and horrific human rights violations. These companies often engage in sports piracy and, as Norwich discovered a few years ago and Palace are now discovering, advertise their goods with overtly sexual imagery.”
Given the numerous (115, to be precise) allegations surrounding Manchester City regarding financial fair play, misreported revenues, questionable sponsorship deals, etc., it is shocking that the Premier League would allow something like this to happen if all allegations were made+. against DEBET and Net88 are true.
It’s also strange, considering that the Premier League is arguably the most popular sporting company in the world, meaning there are certainly hundreds, if not thousands, of legitimate companies that would happily sponsor the likes of Wolves and Palace.
Wolves and Crystal Palace have signed deals with a shady Vietnamese sportsbook, raising concerns over the integrity of the Premier League. The deals, which were announced on Tuesday, will see the sportsbook become the official betting partner of both clubs. However, the sportsbook has been linked to a number of controversies, including allegations of match-fixing and money laundering. The Premier League has said that it is aware of the concerns surrounding the sportsbook and is investigating the matter. However, it is unclear whether the league will take any action against Wolves or Crystal Palace. The news of the deals has been met with anger by fans and anti-corruption campaigners. They argue that the deals could damage the reputation of the Premier League and could lead to match-fixing. The deals are also a concern for the UK Gambling Commission, which regulates the gambling industry in the UK. The Commission has said that it is aware of the concerns surrounding the sportsbook and is investigating the matter. It is unclear what the outcome of the investigations will be. However, the deals have raised serious concerns about the integrity of the Premier League and the role of gambling in the sport.
