sport news MPs want investigation into links between jailed Chinese billionaire and clubs' ... trends now
The Premier League are facing calls from MPs to investigate links between a recently jailed Chinese billionaire with ties to criminal triad gangs, and a British tech company working with many clubs’ Asian betting partners.
Alvin Chau, 48, was sentenced to 18 years in prison last Wednesday in Macau, China, after being found guilty of more than 100 charges relating to organised crime and illegal gambling activity exceeding £85.7billion.
An investigation by this newspaper has found links between the Isle of Man-based firm, TGP, which runs betting brand websites and provides all of them with their UK betting licences, and Chau. Prior to his arrest in 2021 he controlled a sprawling gambling empire under various ‘SunCity’ brands.
Alvin Chau (pictured) has been jailed for 18 years after being found guilty of charges related to organised crime and illegal gambling activity
10 Premier League clubs are partnered with 8 betting companies targeting the Asian market
TGP’s nominal HQ is based above a low-profile betting shop in Douglas, the capital of the Isle of Man. Among dozens of betting brands, TGP works with eight Asian-facing betting brands who together have partnerships with 10 Premier League clubs.
TGP has also licensed and provided websites for defunct brands that formerly worked with Premier League clubs, such as 138.com, and brands that partnered with PL clubs but no longer do, such as HTH Bet, a former sponsor of Manchester United.
There is no suggestion any of the clubs or those brands knew of any potential link between Chau and TGP. But our investigation raises serious questions about the circumstances in which the clubs receive millions of pounds from such betting sponsors, and how the sector is regulated.
The All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) for Gambling Harm has told the MoS they will launch an inquiry unless the Premier League and the Gambling Commission, which regulates TGP, provide satisfactory answers about these apparent links.
Sir Iain Duncan Smith, the APPG vice-chair, said: ‘The reputational harm to the EPL, which has been a global success story, is considerable and this risk is not to be taken lightly.
APPG vice-chair Sir Iain Duncan Smith (pictured) has said they will launch an inquiry unless the Premier League and the Gambling Commission provide satisfactory answers over the apparent links
‘The APPG are particularly concerned about the nature of the relationship between the Isle of Man company TGP that provides the UK Gambling Commission licence for these brands, 138.com and SunCity, whose founder and controlling shareholder Alvin Chau has been sentenced for serious crimes in China and stands accused in an Australian Parliamentary inquiry of associating with known triads.
‘The APPG would call on the Gambling Commission, the Premier League, the clubs and also TGP itself to explain the nature of these links and if we are not satisfied with the explanation, we will be holding an inquiry.’
The call follows an investigation by The Mail on Sunday into Asian brands’ growing visibility in English football, where their adverts and messaging are almost unavoidable at any top-flight match.
Asian betting brands frequently advertise in Chinese, including on the hoardings at Premier League games which are watched worldwide. While some ads are legitimately directed at Chinese expats, concerns have been raised that brands may be using their relationships with Premier League teams to appeal to customers in China, where gambling is illegal. Sir Iain added: ‘Is it appropriate for these online brands to be using EPL clubs, shirts and grounds, to be advertised in jurisdictions, such as China, where gambling is illegal? And what kind of message does this send to people in the UK, including supporters of all ages, about gambling?
There is no suggestion TGP is involved in illegal activity but the ultimate beneficial ownership of the firm is not possible to identify from public records.
TGP currently provides betting licences and website services for Arsenal and Southampton’s betting partner Sportsbet.io, for Aston Villa’s partners BK8 and Kaiyun Sports; and for Manchester City’s Asian betting partner, 8xBet.
Premier League club Southampton have their shirts sponsored by Sportsbet.io
Leeds United are also sponsored by a betting company - SBOTOP
Everton are sponsored by TGP-assisted stake.uk.com, while other TGP-powered brands include Fun88, commercially tied to Tottenham and Newcastle, Leeds’s main sponsor SBOTOP, Crystal Palace’s partner Bk8, and Wolves’ partner brand 12bet.uk.
The Gambling Commission admit they do not have the power to force companies to reveal the beneficial owners behind trusts registered in domains such as Jersey, as is the case with TGP, although they insist they carry out appropriate due diligence before issuing a licence.
TGP Europe, which is licensed by the Gambling Commission, is part of a network of related Manx
