Premier League bosses are refusing to stop clubs having betting shirt sponsors despite a huge backlash against gambling in football.

Half of all the 20 clubs have main shirt sponsors and all of them have tie-ups with betting companies as gambling brings in huge revenue.

It has come under fire with ex-England captain Tony Adams saying gambling is an “epidemic” within the sport, while serious questions have been asked at Government level which is now reviewing football’s uncomfortable relationship with bookmakers.

Premier League chief executive Richard Masters said: “The Premier League doesn’t have partnerships with gambling companies.

“We don’t sell watching bet rights, we’re certainly not sniffy about it, it’s up to our clubs whether they want to have their own gambling relationships, all of them do, a number of them are on the shirt front.

“The Government deregulated gambling – changed the framework around gambling – in 2005 and it’s probably about time to have another look at it, the Government are going to do that, we’ll be welcome participants in that. For a few reasons.

Our clubs have always abode by rules and regulations in relation to it, I think this area does need stronger governance, particularly to protect the vulnerable.

“I don’t think the answer at the end coming out at the end of it should be that football clubs shouldn’t have shirt sponsors from gambling companies any more, but we will certainly co-operate with the review.”