Premier League clubs have today collectively agreed to withdraw gambling sponsorship from the front of clubs’ matchday shirts, becoming the first sports league in the UK to take such a measure voluntarily in order to reduce gambling advertising.

The announcement follows an extensive consultation involving the League, its clubs and the Department for Culture, Media and Sport as part of the Government’s ongoing review of current gambling legislation.

The Premier League is also working with other sports on the development of a new code for responsible gambling sponsorship.

New draft legislation is set to be published over the coming weeks. And while the government is not expected to ban gambling sponsors, the BBC reports that the Premier League could take action into their own hands. It is believed the division is set to agree to voluntarily remove better sponsors from the front of shirts.

However top-flights clubs are said to have not yet voted on the measure. Betting companies are still expected to be allowed to advertise on other parts of the kit and in their stadium.

Eight out of the 20 Premier League clubs currently have a betting firm as their sponsor on the front of their shirt.

Fulham and Newcastle’s current contracts with their respective betting companies will expire at the end of the season. None of the ‘Big Six’ are sponsored by gambling firms on the front of their shirts.